Achakzai says ready to guarantee IK won’t retaliate after release
ISLAMABAD: Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the leader of Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Aain-e-Pakistan (TTAP), an alliance of opposition parties, said on Wednesday that he was willing to personally guarantee that ex-premier Imran Khan would not take any retaliatory action against anyone upon his release from prison.
However, he tied this guarantee to a political agreement, calling on all political parties in the country to commit to a new social contract aimed at restoring the supremacy of the constitution.
He offered his full guarantee that, if the new social contract were signed unanimously, Imran Khan would take no retaliatory action against anyone.
Achakzai made these remarks after a press conference following his visit to the residence of Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, where he expressed solidarity with her and her sisters, Noreen Khan and Dr. Uzma Khan.
The trio had been manhandled by Punjab Police the previous day while staging a sit-in outside Adiala Jail, demanding to meet their brother, Imran Khan.
Referring to the malicious campaign against Imran Khan, he sharply criticised the authorities for spreading what he called a false narrative across the country – that a single man must be crushed simply because he has been labelled a rebel.
“This is the struggle of 250 million people,” he asserted. “Imran Khan is languishing in jail, sacrificing his luxurious lifestyle for the sake of the nation, the constitution, and democracy.”
He also criticised the current government, stating, “This government was formed through wealth and power. People have been humiliated in their own homes – that is a crime.”
He framed resistance to what he described as tyranny as a religious duty: “Standing up to a tyrant ruler is an act of jihad. We are at peace because God stands with the oppressed. No one’s power exceeds that of Pharaoh’s – everyone will be held accountable.”
Further, he accused the authorities of continuing unlawful actions despite thousands of cases being dismissed. “We have raised the flag of resistance,” he added.
“The constitution must reign supreme, and every institution must perform its duties. All political parties should sign this agreement. I will bring Imran Khan’s signature myself and guarantee that he will not take any action against anyone.”
Achakzai emphasised that he held no personal grudge against any political party or the powerful military establishment. “I have no grudge against any general, Sharif, or Zardari,” he stated.
“Let’s make a fair social contract and move Pakistan forward. We do not want to rule – we just want our constitution back.”
On the manhandling of Imran Khan’s sisters by Punjab Police, Achakzai said that neither religion, the constitution, nor tradition condones such treatment of women.
He added that the sisters had every right to meet their brother in jail, as it was their constitutional right.
He strongly condemned the incident, warning that the Punjab Police must not overstep their bounds. “The whole nation stands by Imran Khan’s sisters,” he said.
“They are the bravest sisters I have ever seen, and no one can stop their meeting with Imran Khan through such cheap tactics and shameful police hooliganism.”
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025