ISLAMABAD: Party leaders were once again denied a meeting with incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan in Adiala jail on Tuesday as his sisters appealed to the public to gather in large numbers outside the jail to exert pressure on the government.
All three sisters of Imran arrived at Adiala jail, as per routine, as Tuesday is the designated meeting day, but were told by law enforcement officials that they could not proceed.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, former chairman of the Public Accounts Committee Junaid Akbar, who is also president of PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and other leaders were present outside the jail.
Talking to the media outside Adiala Jail, Aleema said she hoped a large number of people would soon gather there to exert pressure on the government, but she appeared disappointed by the meeting’s closing time.
She said that it was unfortunate that the courts were not delivering justice.
Noreen Khan, speaking to the media, said: “They believe they are not answerable to anyone. Imran Khan is the identity of Pakistan and he will stay in the country. However, they will not stay in Pakistan.”
Uzma Khan said that more pressure was needed to secure a meeting with Imran.
“Khan sahib had said that parliamentarians should come out and reach Adiala jail. It will make news if they are arrested. Imran Khan is in solitary confinement. Leaders are underground; I urge them to come out of their houses,” she added.
Raja said that there was no single leader in the PTI. “We are all workers and we come here to the jail,” he added.
He added that he had no differences with Aleema. “Imran Khan has already assigned responsibilities to all party leaders,” he added.
Meanwhile, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram strongly criticised the government for a persistent and total disregard for court orders and the continued denial of visitation rights to the party’s founding chairman and his spouse, Bushra Bibi.
In a statement, he said, “Despite clear judicial directives allowing meetings with family members, lawyers, and political leaders twice a week, these orders are repeatedly ignored.”
Akram asserted that Imran remained the most popular political leader in the country and could not be erased from the hearts and minds of the people.
HRCP Report
In a separate statement, the PTI expressed a strong reaction to the latest annual report of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), calling it a charge sheet highlighting the deteriorating state of human rights in the country.
“The report exposes the incompetence, authoritarian governance, and violations of the Constitution by the current ‘Form-47’ government”, the party said.
“The HRCP report confirms that freedom of expression in Pakistan is under severe pressure, journalists are being harassed, media houses are facing unofficial restrictions, and the voices of those speaking the truth are being suppressed through force. This situation poses not only a threat to democracy but also damages the credibility of state institutions.
“The report raises serious concerns regarding enforced disappearances, extrajudicial actions and unchecked powers of law enforcement agencies, saying the rule of law in the country has weakened. Political activists, particularly PTI leaders and workers, are reportedly facing fabricated cases, illegal detentions and inhumane methods such as solitary confinement,” it stated.
