Head of the opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, has accused the government of preventing Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) founding Imran Khan from offering Eid beans and questioning how an Islamic State like Pakistan can deny its founder of party leader the opportunity to perform this religious obligation.
Ayub made the comments according to a group of PTI leaders, including themselves, Shibli Faraz, party spokesman Niazullah Niazi, Aliya Hamza and others, tried to meet with Imran Khan in Adiala Prison Thursday, Express News reported.
The party’s secretary, Salman Akram Raja, had already submitted the names of those who wish to meet Khan to the prison authorities. When the leaders arrived at the prison around 2 p.m. 16, however, they were informed that the meeting was not allowed, despite a court decision that allows.
In a speech with the media outside Adiala Prison, Ayub expressed frustration over the refusal and said, “Despite a court decision, we were not allowed to meet with the founder of PTI. These meetings are usually completed by the founder himself and shared with his lawyers.”
He also claimed that Khan had been denied contact with his children and sisters in the last two and a half months.
Ayub also accused the government of preventing Imran Khan from offering Eid beans and stressed that such actions were a serious violation of human rights and dignity. “How can we call this an Islamic State if the founder of PTI must not ask for Eid? This is the worst form of shame,” he said.
The PTI leader criticized the government for repeatedly violating court decisions and called on the judges to ensure that their decisions are enforced. He added that if the judiciary does not maintain its orders, the judges should resign.
Meanwhile, opposition leader in the Senate, Shibli Faraz, also showed and said that the refusal to allow another meeting with Imran Khan showed an ignoring of court decisions.
“When a country disregards court decisions, it can no longer be called a country. Selective enforcement of the law shows that the credibility of the judiciary erodes,” Faraz said.
Allegations of abuse against Imran Khan
PTI leader Aliya Hamza also spoke with the media and condemned the treatment of the PTI founder. “It is shameful that our former prime minister is being treated in this way. He has been denied contact with his sisters, children and wife. He gets outdated food and refuses access to newspapers and TV,” Hamza said.
She also claimed that Khan was not punished for any criminal activity, but because he refused to bow to the establishment. “He prioritizes the nation’s interests over his own,” she added.
Aliya also drawn attention to the difference in treatment between Khan and other political elites who, she said, receives preference treatment. “The elite have their meetings with the superintendent in private rooms, while our leader is even refused fundamental rights.”
Aliya claimed there was no conflict within PTI. “Hammad Azhar is like a brother to me. If we had problems with Khan, we would openly discuss them,” she said. “Our struggle is for the release of the founder and for the greater cause of justice and democracy.”
She emphasized that PTI would continue to fight for justice and Khan’s release and emphasized that the party would not return despite the ongoing political and legal challenges. “We will continue to fight for justice and we will not stop until we see the release of our leader as our fight is of a larger case,” she concluded.
