Opposition links jail restrictions to political crisis; govt cites legal, judicial framework
ISLAMABAD:
The issue of access to jailed PTI founder Imran Khan dominated proceedings across both Houses of Parliament on Friday, with the National Assembly witnessing opposition threats of protest from Monday, while the Senate saw demands for a parliamentary committee to visit political prisoners.
However, the government firmly rejected the demands, asserting that prison administration and meeting arrangements are governed strictly under existing legal and judicial frameworks.
In the National Assembly, Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai demanded clarity on when the PTI founder’s family would be allowed to meet him and when he would receive treatment of his choice, warning that the opposition would launch protests from Monday if there was no response.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said Imran Khan had been imprisoned for nearly three years and that the party was being denied equal treatment despite repeated legal recourse.
He further lamented that the agreed procedures and court-directed SOPs were not being implemented in practice.
“We have gone to the Supreme Court 15 times and to the High Court 24 times, but we have not received justice from the courts,” he said, adding that even arrangements finalised with the Speaker were not being followed. He supported the opposition’s demands and said the party was seeking justice for its leadership
Meanwhile, in the Senate, opposition lawmakers led by Raja Nasir Abbas, Azam Swati and others demanded a bipartisan parliamentary committee to visit Imran Khan and other political prisoners, arguing that denial of access and continued incarceration were worsening political tensions.
The government, represented by Rana Sanaullah, rejected the proposal, saying there was no constitutional or procedural basis for such a committee and that prison-related matters were already governed through judicial forums and established mechanisms.
The session, chaired by Senator Sherry Rehman, saw sharp exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches over Imran Khan’s health, prison conditions and restrictions on meetings at Adiala jail.
Opposition senators warned that continued incarceration of political workers and denial of access were aggravating the country’s political tensions, while the government defended the existing legal and judicial framework governing prison matters.
Leader of the Opposition Senator Raja Nasir Abbas said political victimisation and denial of rights were pushing the country deeper into crisis.
“By jailing political workers, we are shooting ourselves in the foot,” he said, proposing that a bipartisan Senate committee comprising government and opposition lawmakers be allowed to meet Imran Khan and other political prisoners before submitting a report to the House.
“Let everyone stand against whoever is stopping us from visiting jails,” he added, saying Parliament should not tolerate excesses against politicians.
PTI Senator Azam Swati told the House that the PTI founder had “lost sight in one eye” and urged the state to ensure basic human rights for both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
“We need to unite at this time. Inhumane treatment is never justified,” Swati said, while urging the government to “change its decisions and try to improve the situation.”
Senator Faisal Javed also slammed restrictions on access to Adiala jail, questioning why medical treatment, including treatment abroad, had previously been arranged for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif but not for Imran Khan.
He demanded that PTI leaders and family members be allowed to meet the incarcerated party founder.
Responding to the opposition’s criticism, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the government had consistently attempted to resolve issues through dialogue, but progress had been hindered by certain political attitudes.
He maintained that both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were receiving the best medical treatment available in the country and said meetings in jail were being regulated under a mechanism approved by a larger bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
According to Rana Sanaullah, the arrangement allows meetings twice a week, with separate schedules for lawyers and family members. He said PTI leaders, including Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, had assured the court that meetings would not be used for political messaging or media campaigns.
However, he alleged that the understanding had repeatedly been violated through press conferences and international campaigns targeting state institutions.
“Campaigns targeting state institutions and their heads were carried out abroad. Evidence regarding such activities can be presented whenever required,” he said.
The adviser further stated that a five-member medical board, constituted on the recommendation of PTI’s own doctors, had endorsed the treatment being provided to the former prime minister.
Rejecting the opposition’s proposal for a parliamentary committee, Rana Sanaullah said there was no provision in the rules of the Senate or National Assembly allowing such interference in executive matters related to prison administration. He added that legal and judicial forums already existed for complaints regarding prison conditions or access.
Referring to the May 9 unrest, he said attacks on state institutions could not be ignored, and those responsible would face consequences.
Noting that an “action” which succeeds is called a revolution, he said a failed attempt to bring about a revolution amounted to treachery and carried consequences. He added that repeated attempts to march on Islamabad and confront the state had further strained the political atmosphere.
The Senate session was later adjourned until Monday evening.
