PTI protests denial of meeting with Imran

The PTI on Friday urged the federal government to facilitate a meeting with the party founder, sparking a debate and protest by opposition lawmakers in the Senate over the issue.

During the session chaired by Sherry Rehman, lawmakers raised the issue of excessive and unsupervised use of social media apps by children in Pakistan. The chair suggest formation of a committee to look into the matter.

At the outset of the session, the house observed a one-minute silence for the victims of the gas leak explosion in Islamabad. Also during the session, newly-elected PML-N Senator Abid Sher Ali was sworn in.

PTI Senator Ali Zafar raised the issue of denial of jail meetings with Imran, claiming that he represents the party founder and questioning why a meeting had not been permitted by the government.

"The court has no involvement; this is a decision of the jail authorities, which operate under the government. This is political vendetta," he said. PTI Senator Falak Naz Chitrali added that the PTI founder is being held in solitary confinement. PTI members staged a protest over the issue.

Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar responded that the jail superintendent has the authority to allow visits based on behaviour of the prisoner. He added that Adiala Jail falls under the Punjab government, therefore, the federal government cannot issue directives in this regard.

The law minister categorically rejected the assertion that the PTI founder was in solitary confinement. He said that Imran is in good health, receives meals of his choice, and has the access to all necessary facilities.

Separately, a notice was submitted in the house highlighting the excessive and unsupervised use of social media apps by children. Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry described the issue as "extremely important" and said it warrants discussion at the national level.

The presiding officer said that the matter involves multiple ministries so it cannot be referred solely to the house IT committee. She suggested the formation of a special committee, with input from the Law Ministry, to examine the issue due to its sensitive nature.