Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Sunday sharply criticised the sisters of Imran Khan for giving an interview to Indian media, questioning their motives and patriotism.
His remarks came days after Imran’s sisters — Aleema Khan, Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Khan — staged a sit-in outside Adiala Jail alongside PTI workers after being denied a visit with the incarcerated former prime minister. PTI claimed the sisters were peacefully protesting when police allegedly manhandled and “violently detained” them.
Tarar accused the sisters of being present at the Lahore Corps Commander House during the May 9 riots. He claimed their presence at the site, which he said was captured on cameras, was “proof” of their involvement. According to him, the current “drama” surrounding their protest and interviews was deliberate and politically motivated.
The minister said PTI was unable to digest what he described as the government’s foreign policy achievements following the Marka-i-Haq operation, nor the signs of economic stability that he claimed were now emerging. He condemned the sisters’ decision to appear on Indian and Afghan media platforms, alleging they were “crying victimisation” instead of acknowledging national tragedies.
Tarar questioned why Noreen Khan did not use her Indian media appearance to condemn Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the mistreatment of Muslims in India, the killing of innocents, or attacks in Muridke and Bahawalpur. He also criticised her for failing to mention the sacrifices of soldiers and officers martyred in recent incidents or to raise the issue of India-occupied Kashmir.
Calling their actions “shameful”, he accused the family and PTI of holding an “anti-Pakistan mindset” that foreign media allegedly sought to exploit. He dismissed claims about threats to Imran Khan’s health, asserting that he was “hale and hearty” and enjoyed “VVIP facilities”. Tarar concluded that the sisters prioritised politics and personal gain over national interest and respect for martyrs.
