Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has reacted to the party’s decision to boycott the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting, saying that no PTI member can attend such discussions without his permission.

His sister, Aleema Khan, speaking to the media, raised concerns about prison conditions, restricted meetings, and government pressure on Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi.

Aleema Khan revealed that according to jail regulations, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi should have 90 minutes of visitation time — 30 minutes each with family and separately between themselves. However, they were only allowed 30 minutes, prompting them to extend it to 45 minutes in protest.

She also stated that Imran Khan has been deprived of newspapers and television access in jail, leaving him unaware of current affairs. Upon learning about the All Parties Conference (APC), he remarked, “This is why they have cut off my access to news.”

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PTI’s stance on NSC meeting and Afghanistan

Imran Khan firmly stated that PTI would only participate in the NSC meeting with his approval. He also pointed out that terrorism had significantly declined until 2021 but saw an increase in 2022.

Regarding Afghanistan, he asserted, “Afghanistan is not our enemy. Stop trying to turn them into one. Why are you unnecessarily provoking conflict with our Muslim brothers?”

Legal struggles and alleged political victimisation

Aleema Khan further highlighted that Imran Khan is not allowed phone calls with his children or access to his personal doctor for medical check-ups.

She claimed that the authorities are deliberately harassing him, despite court permission for his dentist, Dr Samina Niazi, to examine his dental issues.

She compared his imprisonment to Nawaz Sharif’s tenure under Pervez Musharraf, noting that Kulsoom Nawaz was never jailed, whereas Bushra Bibi is being held to pressure Imran Khan.

Imran Khan reaffirmed his stance, saying, “I stand for national unity, freedom, rule of law, and resistance against oppression. If they want to imprison me for this, I am ready. But if they think they can break me, they are mistaken. I will not compromise on my principles.”

Legal team and political allies express concerns

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar emphasised that all meetings with Imran Khan are conducted in accordance with the law, dismissing allegations of preferential treatment.

He also noted that political leaders have not been allowed to meet Khan for months.

PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja announced that the party will take the matter to court, condemning the five-month-long ban on political meetings.

He added that Imran Khan has instructed that no lawyer should file any petition without his explicit approval.

“Imran Khan is a national leader; how can he be sidelined? Pakistan’s democracy and sovereignty cannot survive by removing him,” Raja stated.

Barrister Ali Zafar

Speaking outside Adiala Jail, Barrister Ali Zafar, Imran Khan’s lawyer, criticised the government’s exclusion of PTI from the NSC briefing.

“The fight against terrorism cannot be won without engaging the leader of the country’s largest political party. Keeping him out of the discussion means no real solution can be found,” Zafar said.

Meetings at Adiala Jail

Meanwhile, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi met with family members, PTI leaders, and lawyers at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

Visitors included Aleema Khan, Uzma Khanum, Noreen Khanum, and cousin Qasim Khan, while Bushra Bibi met Muhammad Sheikh, Mubashara Sheikh, and Mehrun Nisa. The meetings took place in the jail’s conference room.

Senior PTI leaders and legal team members, including Barrister Gohar, Senator Ali Zafar, Niazullah Niazi, Naeem Panjutha, Chaudhry Zaheer Abbas, Salman Akram Raja, Ali Bukhari, and Faisal Chaudhry, also met with Khan.

However, former federal minister Azam Swati was denied access and had to leave the jail without meeting Imran Khan.