• Confirms Pakistani-American donor met PTI founder in jail
• Says her brother views 26th Amendment, May 9 as part of ‘London Plan’

ISLAMABAD: Aleema Khan, the sister of former prime minister Imran Khan, on Tuesday claimed that her brother has been asked a number of times to apologise for the incidents of May 9, 2023.

Speaking to media persons after meeting her brother in Adiala Jail, she was of the view that every time, the incarcerated former prime minister had demanded evidence to confirm that his party was involved in the alleged conspiracy.

Her disclosure came in the wake of media reports suggesting that prominent Pakistani-American activist Tanweer Ahmed had met Mr Khan in Adiala Jail, and tried to ‘strike a deal’ for his release.

Ms Khan said her brother believed the PTI leadership would not get justice as the doors of democracy and free elections had been closed. She also claimed that the worst form of rigging was carried out during a recent Punjab Assembly by-election.

She claimed that whenever ‘they’ faced pressure, deals were offered to Imran Khan and every time they suggested him to keep his mouth shut for two years, not talk about CCTV footage and apologise for May 9.

In May last year, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry had said that there was no doubt that the PTI was behind the May 9 riots and asked Mr Khan to tender a sincere and public apology, while shunning “politics of anarchy and hate”.

Shortly thereafter, Mr Khan claimed that the army owes an apology to him since he was “abducted” by the Rangers on May 9. He subsequently also offered to apologise for the events of May 9, provided the involvement of PTI supporters in the violent protests was proved through CCTV evidence.

Meeting with donor

Talking about Tanweer Ahmed’s meeting with her brother in Adiala Jail, she said the Pakistani-American was a donor of Shaukat Khanum hospital, and she knew him very well.

However, she admitted that Mr Ahmed also had connections with the establishment, which is how he managed to meet Imran Khan. She also said that a message was conveyed to Imran Khan through him, asking the PTI leader to apologise for the events of May 9, adding that her brother had asked for video evidence.

She said that Mr Ahmed had only one meeting with the PTI founder, who subsequently refused to meet him again.

Aleema Khan was of the view that “they” [establishment] sent messengers whenever the pressure on them increased. She also claimed that she and her sisters were also present in the jail when Mr Ahmed met her brother.

She denied being the one who arranged the meeting between the two men, pointing out that at times even she was unable to meet Imran Khan, and there were several people who were not granted an audience despite court orders.

Aleema Khan also said that her brother viewed the 26th Constitutional Amendment and the May 9 incident as part of the ‘London Plan’ hatched against Imran Khan.

Who is Tanweer Ahmed?

The Pakistani-American businessman owns a network of fast-food franchises across four US states, making him one of the largest franchise owners in the country.

Mr Ahmed also owns the Prairie View Cricket Complex, the largest cricket facility in Houston, Texas. He is also the owner of the Houston Hurricanes, a professional cricket franchise. His business interests extend to the logistics sector as well.

Last year, he was awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan’s highest civilian honors, which he described as “an unparalleled honor and a testament” to his “unwavering dedication” to the country.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2025