Bold claim: a high-stakes political offer was on the table, and it could have changed the course of Imran Khan’s imprisonment. And this is the part most people miss. Here’s a clear, expanded retelling of the key events and stakes, in plain language.
Rana Sanaullah, who serves as Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs, says that during PTI’s November 2024 protest, Imran Khan initially agreed to talks and to abstain from marching to D-Chowk in Islamabad. He later reversed course, which Sanaullah describes as a missed chance to secure Khan’s release.
Background: In November 2024, PTI supporters traveled from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa toward Islamabad. They demanded the party’s electoral mandate be restored, the release of detained PTI members, and reversal of the 26th Amendment. However, the federal government used force to block the protest, especially at the D-Chowk approach. This pressure caused senior PTI leadership to withdraw from the scene.
In an interview on Capital Talk, Sanaullah claimed that the government, including Interior Minister Noor-ul-Haq (Naqvi), proposed a compromise: the PTI should hold its planned November sit-in at Sangjani instead of marching to D-Chowk. According to Sanaullah, Khan initially agreed but then deferred to his spouse, Bushra Bibi. He said Bushra Bibi decided that the group would proceed to D-Chowk, which Sanaullah frames as a turning point that deprived Khan of potential concessions and his release.
Sanaullah was asked if Imran had expressed reluctance to come out. He replied that you could interpret it as such.
The PM’s adviser suggested that Khan could have secured release from Adiala jail if the party had pursued a calmer approach during the 2024 protests.
Sanaullah argued that PTI misjudged the outcome of street protests, hoping for a revolution or a dramatic turn of events. He claimed the party expected the February 8 street action to yield a major impact, which did not materialize.
Another point raised by Sanaullah is that Imran Khan is no longer making decisions in isolation. He alleged that Bushra Bibi continues to influence PTI decisions, stating that Khan largely followed his wife’s advice when he was prime minister and remains influenced now. He dismissed claims that Imran has resisted family influence.
Regarding PTI’s announcement of another street agitation after Eid, Sanaullah said it is understood that Khan’s meeting would be paused during Ramzan in light of the plan to launch the street movement.
In short, the story presented here portrays a pivotal moment in late 2024 where a different, calmer path might have opened the door to Khan’s release, while a more confrontational route was pursued, with lasting political implications. Would you agree that the timing and choice of tactics during protests can decisively influence eventual outcomes, or do you think other factors were the true determinants? Share your perspective in the comments.
