Government cites prison rules, rejects claims of political isolation
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on Monday that the ban on meetings with jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan will remain in force until February 8, 2026. He made the statement while speaking on Geo News’ programme Capital Talk, where he defended the government’s decision and linked it to violations of prison regulations.
Earlier this month, the federal government imposed a blanket ban on meetings with the incarcerated PTI founder. Officials said the move followed repeated breaches of jail rules during previous visits. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar explained that prison regulations strictly prohibit political discussions with inmates, adding that Khan’s sisters and visiting party leaders had failed to comply with these restrictions.
Meanwhile, Khan has remained in jail since August 2023 and faces several cases, including corruption and terrorism charges. Authorities initiated most of these cases after his removal from office through a no-confidence motion in April 2022. The government maintains that the legal process is proceeding independently and in accordance with the law.
During the same programme, PTI Senator Barrister Ali Zafar challenged the government’s stance. He argued that neither international law nor Pakistan’s Constitution allows authorities to keep any individual in solitary confinement. He stressed that denying communication and meetings violates fundamental rights guaranteed under the law.
In addition, concerns over Khan’s detention conditions have drawn international attention. In a recent interview with journalist Mehdi Hasan, Khan’s sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, expressed alarm over what they described as prolonged isolation and restricted communication. They claimed that jail authorities failed to consistently allow court-mandated contact. Kasim alleged that officials even stopped guards from speaking to his father in an attempt to isolate him completely.
Responding to a separate political question, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry rejected speculation that the federal government sought to replace PTI-backed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. He said the Centre wanted the KP chief minister to continue working and dismissed reports of any plan to remove him within weeks.
Meanwhile, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah echoed a firm tone while speaking on Geo News’ programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath. He denied claims that the government had closed all political avenues for the PTI. Instead, he accused the party of refusing dialogue and pursuing confrontation.
Rana Sanaullah also referred to the May 9 violence cases, questioning delays in judicial decisions. He linked his remarks to the Toshakhana-2 verdict, in which a special court sentenced Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison each. He warned that the law would take its course against any group attempting to spread chaos or seize Islamabad through force.
