Rawalpindi: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has warned that a nationwide protest movement will be launched if there are attempts to undermine the Supreme Court. Speaking informally to journalists at Adiala Jail following a hearing in the 190 million pound reference case, Khan emphasized that the institution belongs to the entire nation, not just the army chief. He criticized the potential damage to the judiciary, asserting that corruption and incompetence in institutions could lead to national disaster.
Khan expressed frustration over the recent performance of the Pakistan cricket team, which faced a whitewash against Bangladesh. He questioned the decision-making and qualifications of those appointed to key positions, including Mohsin Naqvi, who he accused of corruption and ruining cricket. Khan defended his own appointment of Ramiz Raja as Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, describing Raja as a professional cricketer.
Regarding legal matters, Khan noted that Chief Justice had been holding off on a decision regarding the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) amendments for two and a half months, waiting for a potential verdict in his case. He claimed that this delay had resulted in the freezing of multiple references against key political figures including Shahbaz Sharif, Nawaz Sharif, and Asif Ali Zardari.
Khan also alleged that NAB had halted significant donations to the Al-Qadir University, which he said was aimed at shutting it down. He expressed concern that if Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital were to close, the cost of treatment for patients would dramatically increase.
Lastly, Khan criticized his confinement conditions, claiming he is kept in solitary with limited contact, and warned of impending attacks on the Supreme Court. He vowed that any attempts to destroy the judiciary would lead to a widespread protest movement across the country.