The Punjab government of Pakistan announced on Monday that jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan will be prohibited from meeting his family members, lawyers, and party leaders until October 18, citing “security concerns.” This decision comes as Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), stages anti-government protests in several cities.
Khan has been incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail since August 2023 on multiple charges. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has accused PTI of attempting to disrupt the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, scheduled for October 15 and 16 in Islamabad, asserting that the government will take necessary measures to prevent such disruptions.
A Punjab government official confirmed, “Incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been banned from meeting their family, lawyers, and party leaders at Adiala Jail until October 18,” emphasizing that the decision was made due to “security concerns.” The timing of the ban appears to be linked to the anticipated SCO summit.
The coalition government led by Shehbaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has accused PTI of orchestrating protests in Islamabad to sabotage the summit. In response to these security concerns, the Pakistan Army has been deployed to ensure the safety of the event.
In a related development, six staff members from Adiala Jail were arrested for allegedly aiding Khan during his imprisonment.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for PTI announced that Khan’s legal team plans to file a petition in court to lift the meeting ban. “Justice Sardar Ijaz of the Islamabad High Court previously ordered authorities to facilitate meetings via video link if physical meetings are not possible, considering the numerous cases Imran Khan is facing,” the spokesperson stated.
Supporters of PTI are actively participating in anti-government protests across various cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, further escalating tensions in the political landscape.
Discover more from PressNewsAgency
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.