PTI slams 'death cell' detentio Slug *n of Imran

The PTI has raised alarm over what it describes as "inhumane" treatment of its incarcerated founder, Imran Khan, claiming he is being held in a "death cell" under near-total isolation.

Addressing a news conference on Thursday, PTI Central Secretary for Information Sheikh Waqas Akram alleged that Khan was confined to a solitary detention for 22 hours daily, denied access to newspapers, television, books, and barred from meeting his legal team and close associates.

Akram said 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 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.

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."

The PTI spokesperson further 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 were now being misapplied for political engineering.

Highlighting concerns over the health and treatment of other detained PTI leaders, Akram 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 criticized 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 Rs. 51, but the current government scrapped subsidies and pushed the price to Rs. 220 per liter," he said. He also accused the government of orchestrating a Rs. 92 billion sugar scandal, alleging that following the approval to export 765,000 metric tons of sugar, domestic supplies vanished from the market, sending prices soaring to Rs. 200 per kilogram.

Addressing the May 9 cases, Akram claimed that the prosecution's position has collapsed following the withdrawal of a key investigating officer.