Another setback for Imran Khan! PTI founder’s sister barred from meeting him as Shehbaz government imposes strict restrictions, says ‘no room for…’
According to the minister, meetings between Khan and his sisters have occurred in the presence of the jail superintendent. He alleged that the discussion has been about inciting people and political topics.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is currently in Adiala Jail, with reports suggesting that he is not being kept in good conditions. There were even rumours circulating on several social media platforms that Imran Khan had died in custody. To dispel the rumours, Uzma Khanum, the sister of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, was allowed to visit him at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail on Tuesday. She even claimed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief was facing “severe mental torture. She revealed chilling details about the treatment her brother is facing in prison. She alleged the former premier appeared frail, emotionally shaken, and kept in isolation. However, tensions seem to be rising for Imran Khan, as the Pakistan government has taken strong action against him and his family.
What fresh restrictions has the Shehbaz government imposed?
According to a report from the Arab News, Pakistan’s Information Minister, Ataullah Tarar, announced Thursday that the government has made a decision not to allow Uzma, the sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, to visit Adiala Jail, accusing her of violating prison rules by indulging in political discussions during her visits. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, the Information Minister committed to taking severe actions against any individuals causing disruptions to law and order via activities outside the Rawalpindi Jail.
Why has the government decided to bar his sister?
Khan’s sisters, Uzma Khanum and Aleema Khanum, were granted permission by authorities to meet with him on Tuesday at Adiala Prison. PTI members and supporters accused authorities of illegally denying them access to visit him while in prison. However, dismissing Imran Khan’s death rumour, Uzma Khanum, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, on Tuesday confirmed that former Prime Minister of Pakistan, her jailed brother, was “perfectly fine” after she was allowed to meet him. The meeting reportedly lasted roughly 20 minutes.
At a news conference, Tarar claimed that Khanum and Imran Khan’s other sisters were trying to stir up a “law and order situation” outside Adiala Prison, located in Rawalpindi. He also said that Khanum had participated in political conversations with her brother, which was against prison regulations, as reported by ArabNews. “As per the rules, there is no room for political discussions, and it has been reported that political talk did take place, hence Uzma Khanum’s meetings have been banned from today,” Tarar was quoted as saying by Arab News.
According to the minister, meetings between Khan and his sisters have occurred in the presence of the jail superintendent. He alleged that the discussion has been about inciting people and political topics. “Based on these violations, under any circumstances, the rules and code of conduct do not allow meetings to take place,” Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated. “You were given a chance. Whoever violated [the rules] their meetings have been banned.” Khan’s aide, Syed Zulfiqar Bukhari, slammed the information minister’s announcement. In a text message shared with the media, Zulfiqar Bukhari stated, “This is what one gets for peacefully protesting,” Bukhari said in a text message shared with the media.”
Where is Imran Khan currently being held?
Imran, 72, has been in jail since August 2023, convicted in a string of cases he says were politically driven following his ouster in a 2022 no-confidence vote. His first conviction was in the Toshakhana case and centred on accusations that he unlawfully sold gifts received in office.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Imran, 72, has been in jail since August 2023, convicted in a string of cases he says were politically driven following his ouster in a 2022 no-confidence vote.
- At a news conference, Tarar claimed that Khanum and Imran Khan’s other sisters were trying to stir up a “law and order situation” outside Adiala Prison.
- The government has made a decision not to allow Uzma, the sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, to visit Adiala Jail.
- His sister alleged the former premier appeared frail, emotionally shaken, and kept in isolation
Later verdicts added lengthy jail terms, including 10 years in the cipher case and 14 years in the Al Qadir Trust corruption case, Dawn reported.
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