Imran Khan's political party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court on Friday, asking for his release from jail. 

According to his party members, his health is affected by the long time he has spent in jail, and his life could be in danger, especially considering the current situation with India. The party shared in a WhatsApp message that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali  Amin Gandapur has taken the matter to the High Court on behalf of the party to seek Khan’s release. Imran Khan, 72, has been in Adiala Jail, located in Rawalpindi, since mid-2023 due to several legal cases. 

Now, the Islamabad High Court has been asked to release him. The request was made by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin, according to the party. The application says that because of the current war-like situation with India, the need for national unity, and the risk of a possible drone attack on Adiala Jail, Khan should be released immediately on parole or probation. The court hasn’t given a date yet for when the plea will be heard. While speaking to the media at the Islamabad High Court, Gandapur called the PTI founder a leader of the Muslim Ummah and said he was hopeful that justice would be served. He raised concerns about the poor law and order situation in the country and said they had approached every platform in search of justice. 

In the petition, Gandapur said that Khan’s long imprisonment in politically motivated cases was a violation of his basic rights. The petitioner also said that staying in jail for a long time could harm the PTI founder’s health. The petition added that the PTI founder has followed all prison rules during his time in jail.