Islamabad, May 9, 2025: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Friday filed a constitutional petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan on parole, citing a heightened threat to his life due to the escalating conflict with India.
Filed through senior counsels Latif Khosa and Shehbaz Khosa, the petition urges the court to consider the extraordinary national security circumstances currently confronting Pakistan. Gandapur argued that the risk of an Indian strike on Central Jail Adiala, where Khan is being held, is real and imminent, particularly in light of recent Indian drone incursions into Pakistani territory.
“The Modi-led Indian government has launched a series of unprovoked drone attacks on civilian and military targets across Pakistan,” the petition states. “Given Imran Khan’s political stature and his longstanding opposition to Indian policies, he remains a high-value symbolic target.”
Gandapur argued that Prime Minister Narendra Modi views Imran Khan as a significant adversary, especially due to Khan’s vocal criticism of India’s actions in Kashmir and his success in internationally exposing the BJP’s hardline agenda during his tenure.
“Targeting Imran Khan would serve India’s strategic interest of destabilizing Pakistan’s political and social fabric,” the petition claims, warning that Adiala Jail could be a potential target.
The Chief Minister further emphasized that Imran Khan’s release is crucial for fostering national unity, consolidating public support, and strengthening Pakistan’s global position as it faces aggression from its eastern neighbor.
Gandapur assured the court that Khan would comply fully with any parole conditions, including reporting obligations and non-participation in political or unlawful activities. He also revealed that a prior request had been submitted to the Punjab Home Department, but no response had been received to date.
The petition also cited Khan’s good conduct in prison and deteriorating health as additional grounds for relief, arguing that parole is a constitutional safeguard against arbitrary and prolonged detention, especially in life-threatening circumstances.
This legal move comes at a time of heightened military tensions between Pakistan and India, with both countries engaged in cross-border hostilities following Indian strikes on alleged “terrorist camps” and Pakistan’s strong retaliatory military actions. Dozens of civilians have died in the resulting clashes, and both nations have deployed drones and air defenses along the Line of Control (LoC). The IHC is expected to take up the petition in the coming days.
