‘Caged like a terrorist’, claims Imran

In a rare interview, incarcerated ex-PM claims ‘inhumane prison experience’ akin to solitary confinement

ISLAMABAD:

Imprisoned former prime minister and PTI founding chairman Imran Khan has claimed he is being “caged like a terrorist” and is being “denied basic prisoner and human rights,” according to a report by British publication The Sunday Times.

The rare interview, given from behind bars, was conducted via his lawyers due to restrictions on his access to writing materials.

The former prime minister described his confinement as solitary, with minimal space and constant surveillance, and lamented the denial of basic rights, including visitation.

The 71-year-old former premier has been cooling his heels at Adiala Jail for almost a year following his conviction in three cases including the Toshakhana reference, the cipher case, and the Iddat case, in which his wife, Bushra Bibi, is also jailed.

Imran’s sentence in the Toshakhana reference was suspended on April 1, and he was acquitted by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the cipher case in June. Various courts have also acquitted him in several other cases filed against him since May 9, 2023 — the day when his first arrest sparked riots across the country, followed by a state crackdown against him and his party.

Recently, an Islamabad district and sessions court accepted the appeals filed by Imran and his spouse against their conviction in the Iddat case. Shortly after the court acquitted him in this case, however, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) threw a spanner in the works by re-arresting Imran and his spouse in a new Toshakhana case, leaving his possible release from prison up in the air.

Imran further told the publication, “I am confined in a 7ft by 8ft death cell, typically reserved for terrorists to ensure they have no contact with anyone.”

“It is solitary confinement with barely any space to move. I am under constant surveillance by the agencies, being recorded 24/7, and I am denied basic prisoner and human rights such as visitation.”

“The election results and the voter turnout were nothing short of a soft revolution that took place under a martial law environment,” he said. “People voted for me because they are fed up with the current system and how Pakistan is being run.”

He further stated: “These games are being played to break me and my party, but by the grace of the Almighty, nothing has or will succeed.”

He argues that the elections were marred by “unprecedented pre-poll rigging,” including his imprisonment and the banning of his party’s symbol.

The PTI supremo expressed that the UN’s decision underscores the injustices he and his party have faced, emphasizing that the report provides an objective view of the situation.

He urged the international community to review the findings and address the issues impacting Pakistan’s democracy and its people.

It is pertinent to note that recently, a UN working group declared Khan’s detention as arbitrary and in violation of international law, calling for his immediate release. Despite recent court rulings overturning some of his convictions, Imran remains in jail as bail was denied over allegations of inciting riots last year.

The government is contemplating a ban on Imran Khan’s party, PTI, which won the most seats in the February elections.