A delegation of senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders was once again denied permission to meet the party’s founder, Imran Khan, in Adiala Jail, despite a court order allowing the meeting, according to opposition leader Omer Ayub.
Prominent PTI leaders, including Omer Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Alia Hamza, Niyazullah Niazi, and Mubashir Maqsood, along with lawyers Tariq Noon and Ali Imran Shahzad, arrived at Adiala Jail but were forced to return without meeting the party founder.
Violation of court orders
Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail, Omer Ayub condemned the denial of access, stating that despite a clear court order, the authorities refused to allow the meeting.
"The founder himself finalized the list of attendees for the meeting and handed it over to his lawyers. Yet, we were not allowed to meet him," Ayub said.
Expressing his frustration, he questioned, "I don’t know on whose orders this meeting is being blocked."
Rights violated
Omer Ayub further revealed that for the past two and a half months, Imran Khan has not been allowed to speak to his children, and even his sisters were denied a meeting on Eid. Additionally, he criticized the authorities for not allowing the former prime minister to offer Eid prayers.
"I hope the judges will implement their orders and ensure justice is served," he added.
Balochistan govt also blocking PTI delegation
Ayub also addressed the difficulties PTI leaders were facing in Balochistan, stating that a party delegation struggled to travel with Akhtar Mengal’s convoy and faced obstruction by the provincial government. "We condemn the actions of the Balochistan government for blocking our delegation," he stated.
Referring to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi's remarks, Ayub questioned, "Naqvi said that all it took for the matter of Balochistan was an SHO -- where is that SHO now?" The administration itself is declaring that there is no law and order in Balochistan, he claimed, adding that only Imran Khan can unite the nation.
Judicial orders being disrespected
PTI leader Shibli Faraz also criticized the lack of implementation of court decisions, calling it an open insult to the judiciary. "If someone refuses to implement court orders, then the courts should also determine their punishment," he demanded.
Faraz further stated that the courts have lost their authority, as government officials only enforce judicial decisions at their convenience. "If people see that the court’s decisions are not being respected, why would they obey the law?" he asked.
He further stated that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had been trying to secure a meeting with Imran Khan for the past two to three months. "If Ali Amin Gandapur has finally met, he is the chief minister after all," he remarked.
The PTI leader expressed confusion over why the party leadership is not allowing a meeting with the founder, emphasizing, "Without communication, how can things move forward?" He also disclosed that Barrister Saif had also met Imran Khan along with Ali Amin Gandapur on Wednesday.
The senator firmly stated that the PTI founder held the key to solving the country’s problems, adding, "A puppet government cannot steer the nation out of crisis."
He insisted that the PTI founder should not be in jail and called for negotiations to resolve the country's challenges.
"Every possible effort should be made to unite patriots," he stressed. Faraz reiterated that the PTI is pursuing legal and political avenues to ensure the release of its founder and remains committed to the cause.
PTI founder being treated worse than criminals
PTI leader Alia Hamza remarked that there was only one leader within the party, which was its founder, Imran Khan, adding that the rest were all workers. She urged the authorities to "let this country move forward", adding that her party had no enmity with anyone and that everyone was united.
She also denounced the treatment of the party’s founder in jail, claiming he was being treated worse than criminals, being denied basic rights, and even served stale food.
"The founder of PTI is being punished simply for standing with the people. He is not bowing down, and he is not giving up," she asserted.
Hamza also dismissed reports of internal divisions within the PTI, stating that Hammad Azhar is like a brother and that the party remained united under its founder’s leadership.
"The people of Pakistan are standing with the PTI founder today, and no amount of oppression can break this support," Hamza concluded.
