'Inhumane treatment' of Imran condemned

Shaheen announces legal action against the jail superintendent

RAWALPINDI:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has once again strongly condemned severe human rights abuses and inhumane treatment meted out to former prime minister Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail.

PTI leader and Imran Khan's legal counsel in the Al-Qadir Trust case, Shoaib Shaheen, on Monday denounced recent actions by jail authorities, alleging that Imran's legal team was denied access to meet him, despite previous permissions and several court orders.

He stated that jail authorities initially allowed the legal team entry but later forced them to leave, citing a lack of official clearance. He announced plans to pursue legal action against the jail superintendent and other officials responsible for obstructing Imran's legal team.

He added that PTI would not back down and would continue its pursuit of justice, despite what he described as external influences exerting pressure on jail authorities.

"The solitary confinement imposed on Imran Khan and the restriction on his legal team from attending court proceedings is a grave violation of basic human rights," Shaheen asserted. He questioned the transparency of the trial, calling it a "sham trial" intended solely to keep the former premier behind bars.

Shaheen also expressed optimism about improvements in the judiciary under newly appointed Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi. Taking a jab at former CJP, Qazi Faez Isa, Shaheen claimed Isa spent approximately Rs120 million on inscribing justice and human rights quotations on courthouse walls but failed to deliver justice, especially for PTI leaders and workers.

He also criticised the departure of former prime minister and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif from Pakistan on the eve of ex-CJP Isa's retirement.

He asserted that the people of Pakistan had rejected these absconders but the Pakistani establishment had imposed them upon the nation. He further emphasised their "stolen mandate" does not reflect the will of the Pakistani people. Separately, Imran Khan's sisters raised concerns over the conditions of his imprisonment, claiming he has been denied basic amenities typically provided to former heads of government.

His sister Aleema Khan alleged that Imran has been deprived of access to newspapers, television, and personal items, including a shaving kit. She added that he was reportedly being served food from a communal kitchen and restricted to his cell.

Commenting on these conditions, PTI provincial leader Shaukat Basra said the allegations made by Imran Khan's sister reflect poorly on the current government.