Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has tempered expectations about Shah Mehmood Qureshi assuming party leadership, despite the PTI vice chairman’s recent acquittal in May 9 riot-related cases. Speaking at the Islamabad High Court, Raja clarified that Qureshi remains entangled in 8-9 ongoing cases, making any imminent leadership transition improbable. He criticized what he called a compromised justice system, stating, “The entire nation is being told that the justice system is no longer the justice system.”
Judicial System Under Fire as PTI Vows Resistance
Raja framed PTI’s legal struggles as part of a broader national crisis, declaring, “We are all victims of fascism.” His remarks followed the sentencing of several PTI leaders, including Dr. Yasmin Rashid, to 10-year prison terms in May 9 cases—a stark contrast to Qureshi’s acquittal. The secretary general pledged to continue advocating for judicial independence, asserting that “living nations respond to such challenges” rather than remain silent.
Imran Khan’s Sons Garner International Support
In a parallel development, Imran Khan’s sons, Sulaiman and Kasim Khan, met with Richard Grenell, former U.S. Special Presidential Envoy, in California. Grenell took to social media to affirm global solidarity, stating, “There are millions… sick of political prosecutions.” The meeting, attended by Pakistani-American physician Dr. Asif Mahmood, amplified international scrutiny of Khan’s imprisonment, with Kasim Khan condemning his father’s treatment as “a cruel, intolerable irony.”
Legal Proceedings Advance Amid Political Turmoil
As political tensions escalate, an anti-terrorism court progressed with cases against Imran Khan, Qureshi, and others related to protest charges. The court distributed challan copies to present defendants and issued arrest warrants for absentees, scheduling the next hearing for July 30. These developments unfold against PTI’s planned protests, positioning Khan’s release as a litmus test for Pakistan’s democratic integrity.