Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has raised alarm over what it described as “inhumane” treatment of its incarcerated founder, Imran Khan, claiming he is being held in a “death cell” under near-total isolation.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, PTI Central Secretary for Information Sheikh Waqas Akram alleged that Khan is confined to solitary detention for 22 hours daily, denied access to newspapers, television, books, and is barred from meeting his legal team and close associates.
Akram stated that the conditions amount to psychological torture and a blatant violation of basic human rights. “Imran Khan is effectively cut off from the world. His fundamental right to meet six designated individuals is being denied, despite explicit court orders, which constitutes contempt of court,” he said.
He added that similar restrictions have been imposed on Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, who is allegedly being denied family visits, while Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, has also been prevented from seeing him.
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Calling on the Chief Justice of Pakistan to intervene, Akram urged the judiciary to restore its “dwindling credibility and independence” in the face of what he termed the executive’s open defiance of court rulings. “The violation of judicial orders is not just an insult to the courts but to the entire justice system,” he remarked.
The PTI spokesperson also questioned the recent disqualification of politician Jamshed Dasti, claiming that Article 62(1)(d) of the Constitution has never before been used to unseat public representatives, and alleging that constitutional provisions are now being misapplied for political engineering.
Highlighting concerns over the health and treatment of other detained PTI leaders, he pointed to the “deteriorating condition” of Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the “systematic violation” of Dr Yasmin Rashid’s rights, and the continued imprisonment of Ejaz Chaudhry despite Supreme Court orders granting him bail.
On economic matters, Akram criticised the federal government over skyrocketing fuel prices, claiming petrol prices have surged by 82% over the past 15 months. “During PTI’s term, petrol prices rose by Rs51, but the current government scrapped subsidies and pushed the price to Rs220 per litre,” he said.
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He also accused the government of orchestrating a Rs92 billion sugar scandal, alleging that after the approval to export 765,000 metric tons of sugar, domestic supplies vanished from the market, causing prices to soar to Rs200 per kilogram.
Addressing the May 9 cases, Akram claimed that the prosecution’s position has collapsed following the withdrawal of a key investigating officer and the absence of primary witness Hassan Afzal. He demanded the immediate dismissal of all related cases.
Expressing sorrow over the recent floods in Punjab that led to 103 deaths and the destruction of 250 homes, Akram criticised what he described as the government’s inept disaster response. “When the public protests, they are jailed. Yet, officials responsible for this negligence go unpunished,” he remarked.
In closing, Akram disclosed that Khan has conveyed directives concerning the upcoming Senate elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, delegating authority for awarding Senate tickets to the provincial parliamentary party to prevent horse-trading.
However, he clarified that no ticket can be issued without Khan’s personal approval. “PTI remains committed to internal democracy and transparency,” he affirmed.
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