Peshawar/Lahore:
The PTI-LED KP and PML-N-LED Punjab governments squared on Friday over access to Adiala Prison, with the former railing against restrictions to meet the Imran Khan imprisonment, while the latter brushed the excerpt as ‘politically magnificent’.
KP Information Adviser Barrister Saif has strongly condemned the limitations of meetings with Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and calls it a clear sign of government’s desperation.
In a statement, Barrister Saif claimed that an imprisoned Imran Khan has left the “illegitimate government” sleepless, claiming that the purpose of banning meetings and introducing other restrictions is to push him to make an agreement.
However, he claimed that the government should understand that “Imran Khan will not be part of any agreement Nawaz Sharif did”.
The KP advisor also accused the “mandate twig government” of not only violating basic human rights, but also committing contempt of court.
“The ban on meetings raises serious doubts and has caused a deep concern among party workers,” he added.
He demanded the immediate termination of restrictions on meetings with Imran Khan.
He also aimed at Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and said her words and actions contradict each other. “She talks about providing facilities to Imran Khan in her speeches, but reality is completely different,” he added.
‘PTI plays victim card’
On the other hand, Punjab -Information Minister Azma Bokhari rejected claims of any restrictions on meetings with Imran Khan, saying that the prisoners’ family, lawyers and party leaders continue to meet him as usual.
“The Punjab government has not imposed any ban on meetings with the PTI founder,” Bokhari said, responding to comments from KP Information Adviser Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif.
She added that those who make such claims expect prisons to act as amusement parks where anyone can visit intentionally without rules.
“When tehreek-e-Fasad [PTI] Running out of cards, they start playing ‘victim card’, “she claimed.
In a apparent reference to IMRAN’s missives to the army chief, she added that writing letters have neither secured nor will secure any agreement for the party.
Bokhari also threw PTI for “running propaganda campaigns” against the very individuals they appeal to for relief.
She claimed that about 50 PTI members in London protested during the Army Chief’s visit and adapted to outside foreign agendas. “The party that claims to represent overseas Pakistanis has seen all its calls rejected by them,” she claimed.
Bokhari added that PTI’s policy remains incomplete without referring to Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz.
Meanwhile, PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar has filed a petition in Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking permission to meet Imran in prison.
Through lawyer Ayesha Khalid, Akbar submitted the petition that he was denied access to the PTI founder during a scheduled visit. The placement requests the Court to impose the prison superintendent to allow the meeting.
