Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has sharply condemned the treatment of its incarcerated founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, alleging he is being held in a “death cell” and deprived of basic rights, Dawn reported on Friday.
Speaking at a press conference, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram said Khan is confined in isolation for 22 hours daily and denied access to newspapers, television, and books.
“Despite being a former prime minister, Imran Khan is being stripped of not just his status but also the basic rights entitled to ordinary prisoners,” Akram stated. “This is deeply concerning, especially considering he is the most popular leader in the country. The entire nation is worried about his safety and well-being.”
Akram warned that the mistreatment of prisoners, combined with ongoing judicial and economic crises, is pushing Pakistan towards a “constitutional and humanitarian crisis.”
According to Dawn, Akram said Khan’s legal team is being denied access to consult him on over 200 pending legal cases—calling it a violation of his fundamental right to a fair trial. He also alleged that jail authorities are ignoring court orders permitting six individuals to meet Khan, calling it “blatant contempt of court.”
He further claimed that Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, has been refused visitation rights, while his sister Aleema Khan is also barred from meeting him. His other sisters are only allowed limited visits.
Raising concerns about other detained PTI leaders, Akram said former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s health is deteriorating, and highlighted the case of Dr Yasmin Rashid—a cancer survivor—stating, “Even if she politically defeated Nawaz Sharif, her basic human rights cannot be overlooked.”
Akram also criticised the judiciary, noting that senior PTI leader Ejaz Chaudhry remains imprisoned despite being granted bail by the Supreme Court.
“I appeal to the Chief Justice of Pakistan—your orders are being openly defied by the Adiala Jail administration,” Akram said during the briefing, according to Dawn.
