Following the Toshakhana-II ruling, Imran Khan calls for a mass protest.

Imran Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and a former prime minister, has demanded nationwide demonstrations after being convicted guilty in the Toshakhana-II case.

Imran Khan stated through his legal team that the result was not unexpected and that it was just another politically influenced ruling. The former PM does not have direct access to social media because of his imprisonment. But according to a message purportedly written by him and circulated by accounts connected to the PTI, he had told Sohail Afridi, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to get ready for a public demonstration.

Khan allegedly stated, “The country must defend its constitutional rights,” and his legal staff was instructed to appeal the ruling right away.

Khan criticized the trial procedure, saying the verdict was rendered in a hurry and did not meet the requirements of the law. He claimed that his defense was not sufficiently heard and that no reliable evidence was offered. He claimed that the conviction was one of several “baseless decisions” that had been made in the previous three years.

In an official statement, the PTI vehemently denounced the decision, declaring it to be illegitimate, unconstitutional, and an obvious instance of political victimization. Party officials contended that the conviction was intended to silence political opposition and extend Khan’s incarceration.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja stated at a press conference that Imran Khan had sent a clear message of resistance, emphasizing that he would not yield to pressure or ask for pardon.

Also read: In a recent Toshakhana case, Imran and Bushra were sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Aleema Khan, the sister of Imran Khan, criticized the outcome, claiming that the court’s rulings against her brother were predetermined. She questioned the repeated sentencing on similar offenses and said the family had been waiting weeks for the decision.

She also questioned Bushra Bibi’s ongoing imprisonment and purported solitary confinement, voicing worries about her treatment.

Omar Ayub, the leader of the PTI, separately denounced the ruling, calling it a “kangaroo court” ruling and claiming that it went against basic legal standards.

Political tensions have increased as a result of the conviction, and PTI officials have called for an increase in protests in the days ahead.