ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced on Thursday that the government will not allow former prime minister Imran Khan’s sister to meet him anymore, accusing her of violating prison rules by indulging in political discussions during her visits.
Khan’s sisters, Uzma Khanum and Aleema Khanum, met him at the Adiala Prison on Tuesday after being allowed by the authorities to do so. The former prime minister’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and family members accused authorities of illegally denying them permission to visit the incarcerated leader in jail.
Khan’s sisters had spoken to local and international media outlets last month, voicing concern over his safety as rumors of his death started doing the rounds on social media. However, Khanum quashed the rumors on Tuesday when she said her brother was “in good health” after meeting him.
Speaking to reporters at a news conference, Tarar accused Khanum and the former premier’s other sisters of attempting to create a “law and order situation” outside Adiala Prison in Rawalpindi. He alleged Khanum had partaken in political discussions with her brother, which was in violation of prison rules.
“As per the rules, there is no room for political discussions, and it has been reported that political talk did take place, hence Uzma Khanum’s meetings have been banned from today,” Tarar said.
The minister said Khan’s meetings with his sisters took place in the presence of the jail superintendent, alleging that discussions revolved around instigating the masses and on political matters.
“Based on these violations, under any circumstances, the rules and code of conduct do not allow meetings to take place,” the minister said. “You were given a chance. Whoever violated [the rules] their meetings have been banned.”
This is what one gets for peacefully protesting. No criticism of the govt or The Army chief otherwise we can’t meet imran khan
Khan’s aide, Syed Zulfiqar Bukhari, criticized the information minister’s announcement.
“This is what one gets for peacefully protesting,” Bukhari said in a text message shared with media. “No criticism of the govt or the army chief otherwise we can’t meet Imran Khan.”
Khan, who has been jailed on a slew of charges since August 2023, denies any wrongdoing and says cases against him are politically motivated to keep him and his party away from power. Pakistan’s government rejects the PTI’s claims he is being denied basic human rights in prison.
Ousted from the prime minister’s office via a parliamentary vote in April 2022, Khan and his party have long campaigned against the military and government. He has accused the generals of ousting him together with his rivals. Khan’s opponents deny this, while the military says it does not meddle in politics.
