The main opposition party has issued a warning following claims that its jailed leader is being denied adequate food, electricity, and time outside his cell.
The principal opposition party in Pakistan has issued a warning of a nationwide shutdown aimed at “removing the government” if the authorities persist in what it claims is the mistreatment of its founder, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated since August of the previous year.
Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and a prominent figure within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, conveyed this “warning” to both the federal government and the Punjab provincial government, which are under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) party. He stated, “Imran Khan is being denied food, his cell’s electricity has been cut off, and he is prohibited from meeting with others. I am issuing a warning: If this situation persists, we are preparing to shut down Pakistan and eliminate this government,” as he expressed in a video message shared on X.
Gandapur’s remarks coincided with visits by Khan’s sisters, Aleema and Uzma Khan, who met with their brother at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Punjab, on Monday and Tuesday. Following their visit, they expressed concerns to the media regarding their brother’s alleged “mistreatment” by the authorities.
On Wednesday, a message purportedly from Khan was shared on his X account, in which the 72-year-old politician claimed he was enduring “mental torture” while in custody. The message indicated, “I have been denied the opportunity to go outside. My doctors, family, and lawyers have been barred from visiting me for several weeks.”
PTI leader Sayed Zulfi Bukhari informed Al Jazeera on Wednesday that the party intends to organize a significant protest in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in the near future. He stated, “This will mark the commencement of our nationwide mobilization aimed solely at securing his [Khan’s] release.” Bukhari characterized Khan as a “brave and courageous leader” who has “never expressed any grievances regarding his health.”
He further noted that Khan’s sisters have reported that he was prohibited from meeting with anyone for a duration of two weeks, experienced a lack of electricity in his cell, and was restricted from moving outside or engaging in physical exercise. Additionally, he mentioned that the food provided to Khan was insufficient. Following Khan’s ousting from power in 2022 through a parliamentary vote of no confidence, he faced numerous charges and was incarcerated on various counts, including sedition and “terrorism,” under the administration of Sharif, who succeeded the former cricketer-turned-politician. Although Khan has been granted bail and acquitted in several cases, he remains imprisoned, a situation that the PTI claims is a strategy to hinder his political resurgence.
Khan’s party has accused the government and Pakistan’s influential military of orchestrating a campaign to keep him incarcerated. In response, both the government and the military, which previously supported Khan’s political ascent, have refuted these allegations.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has consistently raised alarms regarding the welfare of Khan while he is incarcerated, asserting that his life is at risk.
On October 15, these concerns were echoed by Khan’s ex-wife, Jemima Goldsmith, who resides in London. In a widely shared post on X, she highlighted several “serious and concerning developments” regarding the wellbeing of the father of their two children.
“We have received reports indicating that the authorities have now cut off the lights and electricity in his cell, and he is prohibited from leaving it at any time. The jail cook has been placed on leave. He is now entirely isolated, in solitary confinement, literally in darkness, with no communication with the outside world,” she stated, noting that Khan’s legal representatives are apprehensive about his safety.
In July, a working group from the United Nations on human rights also released a statement asserting that Khan has been unlawfully detained in contravention of international law and called for his immediate release.
The PTI’s apprehensions arose following a government directive on October 4 that prohibited visitors at Adiala Jail due to “security concerns.” This directive was issued just days before Pakistan hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad on October 15-16, which was attended by Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and other regional leaders. Previously, the PTI had announced a protest near Pakistan’s parliament building in Islamabad on October 15 to demand Khan’s release and to oppose a constitutional amendment that grants parliament the authority to appoint the chief justice of the Supreme Court. This amendment was subsequently passed on October 21.
Nevertheless, the opposition party called off its protest after the government dispatched a medical team to assess Khan’s condition in jail. The doctors reported that he was in “good health.”
This week, officials at Adiala Jail confirmed that Khan’s meetings with family members, legal counsel, and party officials have resumed.
Last week, Bushra Bibi, the wife of Khan, who had been incarcerated since January, was released after being granted bail in connection with a case involving the unlawful sale of gifts received by Khan and his administration during his tenure from 2018 to 2022.
Some analysts in Pakistan have remarked that the PTI’s threat of a nationwide shutdown reveals a “lack of strategy.” Majid Nizami, a political analyst from Lahore, informed Al Jazeera that PTI leaders are not unified in their approach. While some advocate for agitation, others are attempting to portray Khan as a victim in order to initiate a movement. He expressed doubt about any genuine health concerns, suggesting they are merely being exploited for political advantage.
Talat Hussain, another political commentator, voiced skepticism regarding Gandapur’s video statement.
“It sounds familiar, and we have all been there, seen it and heard it all. He is trying to stay in the power struggle inside the PTI. This is all talk and no walk,” the analyst stated to Al Jazeera.
Nizami opined that Gandapur’s threat was primarily aimed at motivating PTI workers.
“Over the past six months, PTI has made several attempts to instigate nationwide protests, but none have succeeded in exerting significant pressure on the government. This may be contributing to a sense of frustration among PTI leadership,” he noted.
