Narrative to declare Imran Khan insane being built, claims Senator Faisal Vawda

• Ex-PTI leader accuses Bushra Bibi of politicising dead bodies.
• Vawda voices concerns about PT founder Imran Khan’s safety.
• "Khan’s safety depends on keeping Bushra Bibi away: politician

ISLAMABAD: Former federal minister and Senator Faisal Vawda has expressed concerns about the safety and 'mental state' of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder-chairman Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated in Rawalpindi's Adiala jail, claiming that a narrative is being built to declare the former premier insane.

The remark came in response to Imran Khan-loyalist, Qasim Khan Suri's recent post on X, where the PTI leader claimed that the jailed former prime minister was being given some "poisonous substance" to alter his mental state. 

"Imran Khan has been given something that threatens to disrupt his mental balance. The small room where [Khan] has been locked is sprayed with a poisonous substance whose smell is affecting his mind. Imran Khan’s health is bad and there are serious threats to his life,” the former National Assembly deputy speaker said citing “close sources”.

Responding to the statement, Vawda, who is a former PTI leader, said that the remarks about Imran Khan’s mental state mark the beginning of a narrative to have the former prime minister declared "mentally unstable". 

He also strongly criticised Bushra Bibi’s role in recent events, questioning her actions during PTI's chaotic protest in Islamabad last week and accused her of attempting to "politicise" the deaths of party workers to advance their agenda.

“If Bushra Bibi called for gathering at D-Chowk, why did she flee afterward?” he remarked in reference to the former first lady's withdrawal from the protest rally before making it to the said venue. 

“They have been exposed before the nation; this is mere drama now," he added. 

Expressing concern for Khan’s safety, Vawda warned that his life was at risk from Bushra Bibi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, and their followers. 

He said that he remains steadfast in this assertion.

“If the PTI founder's life is to be saved, then he must be kept at a distance from Bushra Bibi,” Vawda asserted.

The former minister dismissed statements made by ex-NA deputy speaker, saying that Suri was a “fugitive” and "his statements hold no significance.” 

He reiterated that Suri’s remarks about Khan’s mental state being deliberately compromised are part of a calculated narrative aimed at declaring the PTI founder insane.

Vawda went on to lament that the struggles Khan has endured throughout the party’s turbulent period due to "this entire struggle.”

He criticised internal conflicts within the party and claimed that “the PTI founder is trapped in both committed and uncommitted sins.”

He also accused Gandapur of issuing threatening statements, alleging that PTI workers prevented the KP CM from leaving during a recent protest.

“We value Khan’s life and we have to protect him from them. Aleema Khan has also denied this vile tweet of Qasim Suri. I will protect the PTI founder until my last breath,” he vowed. 

Moreover, the Senator dismissed attempts to impose governor's rule in KP.

"They want to impose governor's rule somehow, but it’s not happening.”

It may be noted that PTI issued a statement on its official Instagram handle, in reaction to Suri's tweet, saying that the politician has shared alarming reports about Imran Khan from his sources.

“We urgently demand a transparent update on Imran Khan’s condition, followed by a thorough medical examination led by Dr Aasim Yousif.”

The party said Imran Khan is currently cut off from his family, deprived of essential medical care, denied basic facilities, and with no reliable evidence of his well-being.

His isolation raises serious human rights concerns and questions the intentions behind such treatment, as this is equivalent to putting his life at risk.