Mounting concerns

Concerns are growing over the security and well-being of the incarcerated former PM, Imran Khan, as the government is maintaining a mysterious silence on the matter, and unverifiable inputs from it are taken by the opposition with a pinch of salt. The equation becomes more worrisome as family members, lawyers and political associates are persistently denied an audience with Khan.

Khan's sons, Suleman and Kasim, have once again voiced their apprehensions over the jailed leader's right to life, safety and health by soliciting international bodies' attention towards this violation of human rights of a prisoner. It seems the government is literally incapacitated as fear of the unknown from Khan and his party comes to overshadow the established rules of engagement with a prison inmate. Kasim has told the media that authorities may be hiding "something irreversible" about his father. That allegation gets credence as Khan's personal physician too is barred from seeing him, and a complete media blackout has been in place as to his prospects. While the intention is to prosecute the PTI chief and victimise him in the political realms, the strategy has brought a bad name for the government and the country, alike.

The bulldozed constitutional amendments, the denuding of judiciary and the extra-legal measures against the political opposition are framing an untenable scenario of any democratic and lawful society. Last but not least is the trump card that the federal government wants to exercise by slapping Governor's rule in K-P while ousting the PTI-led provincial government. Such a step would slide the country into further chaos and make political reconciliation next to impossible.

The government, under the dictates of law, is duty bound to ensure access to every prisoner, and former PM too enjoys a privilege in this context. The wayward coalition dispensation would be better advised to handle the PTI through politics and not by heavy-handed bureaucratic tactics. An immediate audience with Khan of family, lawyers and journalists is indispensable to set aside the rumour mill.