Beyond the jail manual

Family's concerns on Imran Khan's health are well-founded, and deserve to be addressed. It goes without saying that the government is not merely flouting the jail manual in its handling of the former prime minister's incarceration; it is clearly defying the Constitution. It's is all too evident that Khan is neither being produced in court for his trials nor having his bail and review petitions heard in real time. Add to this is an unstated ban on dissemination of any information on his person or politics. Despite express orders from the court of law for ensuring his twice-weekly audience with doctors, family and lawyers, he has been kept in solitary confinement since December last year. This reflects a gruesome culture of political victimisation, unbecoming of democratic norms in any law-abiding society.

Consequently, Khan's sisters have valid concerns, given reports that the jailed PTI leader was brought to PIMS for a fifth time while being held incommunicado. Khan suffers from an eye condition that could worsen unless he receives appropriate medical treatment. The party and family have repeatedly knocked on the doors of the court, besides pleading with the government, for his hospitalisation at a private hospital and access to his personal physicians. That is a lawful demand, and the courts too have endorsed it time and again. The Supreme Court has twice dispatched an amicus curiae to assess the jail conditions and obtain an official update on his well-being. This unyielding attitude from the government, combined with a lack of judicial intervention, has fueled widespread concerns regarding Khan's safety.

This unwarranted standoff on a critical issue of health must be addressed in all humility. Khan's medication details must be made public in consultation with his personal physicians. It is a given that all political leaders face such tribulations, which only underscores the necessity of strictly adhering to SOPs in conformity with the law. Dealing with all political prisoners with compassion, and harnessing a culture of tolerance by accommodating a lively opposition is the way to go.