Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's party expresses deep concern over his safety and security while in prison, asserting that his life is in danger. Khan, aged 70, was arrested and sentenced to three years in jail after being found guilty in a corruption case by an Islamabad court. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the vice-chairman, is demanding immediate attention from higher courts to ensure Khan's wellbeing.
The PTI party alleges that Khan has been denied access to his legal counsel for the past two days, raising further worries about his treatment in prison. They claim that the facility in Punjab province, where Khan is incarcerated, lacks adequate amenities that a former prime minister should have access to. Amidst confusion over his transfer from the court-ordered Adiala jail to Attock prison, situated 100km away, the party seeks answers from the authorities.
Lawyers representing Khan are struggling to obtain a power of attorney from him, but their attempts have been hindered by the denial of his right to meet legal representatives. They assert that he is being kept in solitary confinement in a small cell.
Khan's imprisonment carries significant consequences, as his conviction renders him ineligible to participate in any future elections for the next five years, effectively removing him from the upcoming general elections expected in November. Despite facing government crackdowns and numerous arrests of PTI members, Khan remains a popular leader in Pakistan, advocating for change.
Despite Khan's absence, the PTI party maintains its high morale and stands firm in its demand for immediate general elections, viewing it as a democratic and sensible solution to the country's current political and economic challenges.