PTI demands meeting amid Imran's health worries

RAWALPINDI:

Political tensions deepened on Thursday as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) intensified demands for access to its jailed leader Imran Khan, with the party citing health concerns, repeated denial of meetings, and growing frustration at what it calls unlawful isolation.

PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari said no one from Khan's family or legal team had seen him since November 4, asserting that the lack of information about his condition had heightened fears over his well-being. He insisted that immediate access must be granted.

A PTI delegation again attempted to meet Khan on Thursday but was denied access, Bukhari said, adding that weekly meetings allowed under the jail manual were being suspended without explanation. He said long stretches without contact had become increasingly frequent.

The political agitation spread when Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi staged a sit-in after heavy police deployment stopped him from reaching Adiala Jail for what he said was his eighth peaceful attempt to meet Khan.

Afridi accused authorities of defying court orders, arguing that a representative of 250 million citizens should not be obstructed repeatedly. He said his province was being treated like a "stepchild" and warned that growing bitterness risked damaging national cohesion.

Speaking at the Gorakhpur checkpoint, Afridi said PTI had exhausted all legal and democratic channels and claimed the government lacked authority in the matter. He said repeated voting irregularities had eroded public trust, citing extremely low turnout in the latest by-election.

Afridi also accused the government of economic mismanagement and referenced IMF criticism of fiscal governance. He claimed Rs5,300 billion in corruption remained unaddressed and argued that rising unemployment was driving Pakistani youth to leave country in increasing numbers.

He later marched again towards Adiala Jail before being stopped, prompting PTI workers to join him in a prolonged roadside protest. Many supporters eventually dispersed, though Afridi remained seated with a small group for nearly two hours.

In Islamabad, the Senate session also grew heated as PTI senators protested what they described as solitary confinement and restricted access for Khan. Senator Faisal Javed said neither family nor lawyers had been able to meet him for several weeks.

Responding in the House, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry insisted Khan was receiving meetings strictly according to the jail manual, with designated weekly slots for family and legal representatives. He said no officer would risk violating court-mandated oversight.

Chaudhry further detailed facilities provided to the former premier, including chicken meals, an exercise machine, six large barracks, a television, a physiotherapist and a personal cook. He argued these amenities fell within permissible limits and reflected no breach of rules.

The minister criticised what he called unnecessary protests outside the jail, saying a small group habitually staged sit-ins despite knowing meetings were being held under court supervision. He claimed recent by-election losses showed declining public backing for such demonstrations.

PTI parliamentary leader Barrister Ali Zafar rejected Chaudhry's remarks, saying facilities were irrelevant and demanding a firm date for the next meeting. He refused to present a committee report until the matter was resolved, prompting adjournment of the Senate session until Friday.

Khan has been incarcerated since August 2023, serving a 14-year sentence on corruption charges. His party says prolonged isolation violates prison rules. Online campaigns pushed the hashtag "WHEREISIMRANKHAN".

Speculation over Khan's possible transfer to a more restrictive facility circulated in local media, although a senior jail official told Reuters the ex-premier was in good health and that no relocation had been planned. The official declined to be named due to protocol.

(AGENCIES WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)