Imran Ismail, a close aide of ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan and former Sindh governor, announced his departure from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Saturday. This decision came just hours after an anti-terrorism court ordered his release from prison in Karachi upon posting a personal bond of Rs 50,000.
The PTI party has witnessed the departure of over 70 lawyers and leaders, including prominent figures like Secretary General Asad Umar, former information minister Fawad Chaudhry, and former minister for human rights Shireen Mazari, following the violent protests on May 9.
On that day, protests erupted after Imran Khan, aged 70, was arrested by paramilitary Rangers from the premises of the Islamabad High Court. In response to Khan’s arrest, his party workers engaged in vandalism, targeting multiple military installations such as the Lahore Corps Commander’s House, the Mianwali airbase, and the ISI building in Faisalabad. The mob even stormed the Army headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi for the first time. The clashes resulted in a death toll of 10 according to the police, while the PTI party claimed that 40 of its workers were killed in firing by security personnel.
Imran Ismail, who has been a staunch defender of Imran Khan on television shows and has known him since his cricketing days, denied any involvement in the May 9 violence. Following his release from prison, Ismail announced his resignation from all positions within the PTI party during a press conference, bidding farewell to Khan and PTI.
He expressed uncertainty about his future in politics but emphasized the need for an inquiry into the violent events of May 9 and the imposition of exemplary punishment on those responsible, regardless of their affiliation with the PTI.
Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz, Senior Vice President of the PML-N party, declared that the “game is over” for Khan in light of the exodus of senior members from his party. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also stated that individuals involved in attacks on military installations would face trials in military courts, while those charged with attacks on civilian targets would be prosecuted under civilian laws.
In response to the violent incidents, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif mentioned that the government was considering a possible ban on the PTI party. Imran Khan, the former prime minister who was removed from power in April of the previous year through a no-confidence vote, alleged that his ousting was part of a US-led conspiracy aimed at him due to his independent foreign policy decisions concerning Russia, China, and Afghanistan.
