ISLAMABAD: Acting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan sharply criticised authorities on Tuesday for denying him and other party leaders, including the sisters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, access to Khan in prison, calling the move politically motivated and unjust.
Speaking at a press conference, along with other party leaders, Gohar accused the government of fearfully barring political leaders from meeting Khan, describing it as unprecedented.
“Nowhere in the world are the leaders of a political prisoner, especially the most popular leader of the country, prevented from meeting their party colleagues and family,” he regretted.
He demanded an immediate end to what he termed the “illegal, unconstitutional and anti-human rights” restrictions on Khan, insisting that the former premier be allowed to meet both his family and party representatives.
When asked about ongoing talks between PTI and the government, he said no negotiations were currently underway but expressed hope that discussions would resume.
“The country cannot endure further tension and political and economic instability at this critical juncture. Internal stability is imperative,” he added.
Tuesday, traditionally a jail visitation day, saw no PTI leader, including Gohar and Khan’s sisters, permitted to meet the former prime minister.
Separately, Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, said she was once again denied permission by prison authorities to see her brother, who is reportedly suffering from a serious eye ailment, calling the refusal “unacceptable.”
She said that for over three months, Khan has been cut off from both family and party leaders, denouncing the restrictions as a blatant violation of basic human rights and a stark indictment of a legal system that seems incapable or unwilling to protect them.
Despite facing numerous spurious first information reports (FIRs) registered against her across the country in an apparent effort to silence her, she pledged to continue advocating for her brother and speaking out against the incumbent regime and its handlers.
Aleema alleged that Khan was held in solitary confinement and denied adequate medical care.
She demanded his transfer to Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, for treatment of an eye condition, claiming legal proceedings had been stalled and that her brother’s detention was based on fabricated charges.
She warned that authorities would be held directly responsible if anything were to happen to Khan, whose health she said was deteriorating.
“No power in the world can stop me from fighting for my brother, who is imprisoned on politically motivated cases,” she said, urging the higher judiciary to intervene.
“If the judiciary fails to deliver justice, history will never forgive it.”
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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