PTI concerned over Imran’s safety in jail

Says former PM subjected to 'harsh solitary confinement'; alleges govt of hushing up the matter

LAHORE:

The core committee of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has raised grave apprehensions regarding the health and safety of party chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan during his time in prison while accusing the government of hushing up the whole affair that it claimed remains riddled with lack of transparency.

A day after Imran was put behind bars after Islamabad's court found him guilty in the Toshakhana case, the party has vehemently criticised the government's imposition of Section 144, which it said infringed upon the public's fundamental right to peacefully protest “against cruelty and injustice”.

Under the leadership of Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the committee held a crucial meeting on Sunday to address the growing concerns over the life and health threats faced by their party chairman while in confinement.  The meeting was attended by PTI Central Secretary General Omar Ayub and other members of the core committee.

The meeting held in-depth deliberations on critical issues, including the former prime minister's arrest by the Punjab Police instead of Islamabad Police despite ADSJ Humayun Dilawar's orders to the capital police chief to arrest him.

Similarly, the members of the core committee also raised alarm over his transfer to Attock Jail instead of Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.The meeting expressed the conditions of his solitary confinement, and the denial of access to lawyers and family members, and explored the legal strategy for his prompt release.

It is pertinent to note that this is the second meeting of the core committee held after Imran's arrest which saw protests and strong condemnations pouring in from the legal fraternity as well as PTI supporters who saw the trial as "biased" for its hurried proceedings.

In the meeting held a day earlier shortly after Imran's arrest, the committee had rejected the arrest and made an appeal for nationwide protests.

'Harsh solitary confinement'

During Sunday's meeting, the committee expressed strong reservations about the lack of information provided regarding the former prime minister since his arrest on Saturday and firmly opposed the decision to subject him to“harsh solitary confinement”, considering it a violation of established rules and regulations.

It condemned the government for its failure to provide updates on his health and safety.

It further emphasised that every step taken against the former prime minister, from the registration of the Toshakhana case to the “biased trial and verdict”, appeared to be “driven by a vengeful agenda”.

They also protested the government's decision to transfer Khan to Attock Jail in defiance of a court order.

Highlighting the challenges faced by Imran’s legal team in gaining access to him, the committee accused the government of refusing to grant them the necessary permissions. The lack of information about the health condition of the popular leader of Pakistan alarmed the committee, as more than 24 hours had passed since his arrest without any clarity on his well-being.

Citing concerns over custodial violence during the current regime, the committee expressed worries about potential physical and mental harm to the former prime minister. They also expressed apprehensions about the quality and hygiene of the food provided to them in prison, as numerous reports have indicated deteriorating conditions due to poor sanitation in jails.

The core committee demanded that lawyers be granted access to the former prime minister for fair legal proceedings against “biased decisions”. They urged the government to abandon its alleged cruel and vindictive approach and allow the legal team access to Imran.

Furthermore, the committee called on the judiciary to take notice of the government's unlawful actions and address the concerns raised by Imran Khan's family and the party regarding his health and safety.

Lastly, the PTI core committee condemned the “illegal crackdown” and alleged mistreatment of PTI workers, demanding an immediate end to such undemocratic practices by the government.