ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday accused the government of deliberately preventing the legal teams of jailed PTI founder and his wife, Bushra Bibi, from meeting them to obtain the power of attorney necessary to challenge the Toshakhana-II verdicts.
In a statement, PTI demanded immediate and unrestricted access for Khan and his wife to consult with their lawyers, execute the power of attorney, and file appeals against their convictions. It warned that any further delay in blocking the legal team’s access to Khan and his wife would not only constitute a direct assault on their fundamental rights but also represent a further erosion of the already fragile integrity of justice in the country.
PTI alleged that Khan’s lawyers had been forced to wait for hours outside the notorious Adiala Jail, with meetings cancelled without notice and legal desk services denied. It claimed the authorities’ refusal to process the power of attorney was part of a deliberate and systematic effort to obstruct the legal process.
The party highlighted that, under the Punjab Prison Rules of 1978 – specifically Rules 178 and 179 – every prisoner is entitled to meet with their lawyer, sign powers of attorney, and file legal appeals. It argued that the actions of the prison authorities not only violated these rules but also breached the constitution.
The statement further emphasised that these actions contravened several key constitutional provisions, including Articles 10-A, 4, 9, and 25, which guarantee the right to a fair trial and access to legal counsel.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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