PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan expressed concerns on Wednesday regarding the security conditions at Adiala Jail, where party founder Imran Khan is anticipated to appear via video link for a Supreme Court hearing. This marks Imran’s first public appearance since his arrest last August in a Toshakhana case.
Imran is expected to address the apex court tomorrow, following Justice Athar Minallah’s statement on Tuesday affirming that the court cannot deny him an audience if he wishes to appear in person for a case concerning changes to the country’s accountability laws.
Consequently, a five-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, discussed and ordered the federal and Punjab governments to facilitate Imran’s appearance on Thursday via video link from Adiala jail.
Later, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar clarified to the media that historically, convicted individuals were not allowed to represent themselves in person before the court, but he would comply with the directive.
Both PTI and Imran’s family have alleged a clampdown on him ahead of the hearing. Imran’s sister, Aleema Khanum, stated that his guards were suddenly changed, and meetings with him were canceled.
Addressing a press conference today, Hasan elaborated on the alleged jail conditions “created in the [past] three to four days,” stating that Imran’s two security guards were changed on Monday.
“A security clampdown has been imposed on him because of which no lawyers’ meetings nor weekly meetings with political leadership are being permitted,” Hasan added, condemning the alleged additional security measures.
He attributed the heightened security to the state and its officials being “fearful” of Imran, stating, “The people in charge of this country … fear his face. Neither his voice nor his face has been broadcast for the past nine months.”
Hasan emphasized that the situation should be viewed in the larger context of current issues, such as the letter by six Islamabad High Court judges alleging interference of intelligence apparatus in judicial proceedings.
