Abbasi opposes putting Imran behind bars

Says PTI chief has admitted to putting people in jail

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday opposed imprisoning Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

Sticking to his views against political vengeance, Abbasi spoke with journalists in Islamabad, saying: “I’m not in favour of putting anyone in jail.”

Commenting on the cases against the PTI chief, the PML-N leader said: “Punish Imran Khan if he has done anything once cases reach logical conclusion.”

Abbasi added that Imran admitted his mistakes himself. “Imran Khan has spoken without any limits. I’m not referring to hearsay, but talking about his confessions.”
The PML-N stalwart said that the PTI chief himself admitted to putting people in jail and apprehending them.

“Who authorised Imran Khan to make the cases? In principle, one should not have the authority to put any politician in jail because this power turns into vengeance,” Abbasi said.

He also highlighted that former prime minister Muhammad Khan Junejo was the only premier who didn’t go to jail, while all others were imprisoned under the 1973 Constitution in the last 50 years.

Earlier, Abbasi had also opposed plans to arrest former finance minister Shaukat Tarin for allegedly attempting to obstruct Pakistan's talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).