Latest news with #PakistanTehreek-e-Insaf
Business Recorder
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
‘Reports that Qasim, Sulaiman have been asked not to come are baseless': PTI
LAHORE: Conflicting statements over whether Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's sons, Qasim and Sulaiman, will participate in the planned August 5 protest in Pakistan have sparked political debate and fuelled media speculation, prompting a formal clarification from the party. Earlier this week, journalists reporting from outside Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail quoted Khan, currently imprisoned on serious corruption charges linked to a UK-based money laundering case, as saying that his sons would neither return to Pakistan nor take part in any protests. This statement, attributed directly to the PTI founder, was swiftly picked up and widely circulated by national media outlets. However, the PTI has since rejected the reports, labelling them misleading and 'deliberately spread to create confusion and undermine the protest movement.' In a written statement, PTI Central Secretary of Information Sheikh Waqas Akram categorically denied that Khan had asked his sons not to come to Pakistan. 'The reports that Qasim and Sulaiman have been asked not to come are baseless,' he said. 'They will come to Pakistan; the only matter pending is the confirmation of travel dates.' He emphasised that the former prime minister's sons intend to support the ongoing political struggle and participate in the protest demonstrations, rejecting speculation that family disagreements or security concerns were behind their absence. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub Khan, offered a somewhat vague response when asked about the matter. 'Imran Khan's sons are currently campaigning in Washington, DC. It was their choice; they can come whenever they wish,' he said. His remarks did not confirm any travel plans, further adding to the confusion. The issue has also become a political talking point for government figures. Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari mocked the PTI's protest preparations, declaring the August 5 demonstration 'a flop before it even began.' In a statement issued Wednesday, Bukhari remarked, 'Phuppo (aunty)'s wish did not come true, and the nephews are not coming,' a reference to the party's internal dynamics. She accused Imran Khan's sister, Aleema Khan, of anticipating the protest's failure and suggested that even close relatives had lost confidence in the movement. 'When the so-called revolution does not even have the support of the leader's children, how can it succeed?' she said. 'The current PTI leadership doesn't seem interested in the protest either.' Bukhari also shifted focus to alleged financial irregularities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's local governments, claiming that over Rs354 billion in misappropriated funds had been identified. She criticised PTI leaders for championing anti-corruption rhetoric while allegedly presiding over record levels of corruption during the past 12 years. 'Those now being declared ineligible were part of a failed mutiny. Instead of expressing remorse for the May 9 incidents, they continue to defend them — a deeply shameful stance,' she added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Imran being kept in 'poor conditions': son
Kasim Khan, son of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has said that his father was in "really poor conditions" in Adiala jail in Rawalpindi and that he and his brother, Sulaiman Khan, were looking for a possible way out. In an interview on US media outlet Real America's Voice shared on Wednesday, Khan said that his father was incarcerated in a solitary confinement cell and allowed only two hours a day to spend time in daylight. He further said that they were unable to speak to their father. Imran has been imprisoned since August 2023. Currently he is serving a sentence at the Adiala Jail in a £190 million corruption case. Besides he faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) related to the protests of May 9, 2023. "Right now he's in really, really poor conditions and it looks like they're getting worse and worse by the moment. So we're looking for any way out possible," Kasim said. He "is incarcerated in a solitary confinement cell," he added. "The state of the cell he's in is awful, quite frankly." He continued, alleging that Imran was showering in muddy water and 10 people who were incarcerated there had died from filthy conditions. "There were moments he went 10 days without any light in his cell". He termed it a "torture tactic". "We're not able to speak to him at all," he said, expressing his worry over not being able to see his father. Kasim Khan said that he and his brother were "looking to America at the moment" for support. "It seems like it might be the only route out at the moment." He said that during a meeting in the US, US President Donald Trump's key aide Richard Grenell was "very kind to spend some time with us." He added: "We spoke at length and I don't want to get into details but I'm very, very hopeful from that."
Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Imran being kept in ‘poor conditions', says Kasim
Listen to article Kasim Khan, son of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has stated that his father is in 'really poor conditions' at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, and that he and his brother, Sulaiman Khan, are seeking a possible way out. In an interview with the US media outlet Real America's Voice, shared on Wednesday, Kasim said that his father is being held in a solitary confinement cell and is allowed only two hours of daylight each day. He further mentioned that they have been unable to speak with their father. Imran has been imprisoned since August 2023, currently serving a sentence at Adiala Jail in a £190 million corruption case. In addition, he faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) related to the protests of May 9, 2023. 'Right now, he's in really, really poor conditions, and it looks like they're getting worse and worse by the moment. So, we're looking for any way out possible,' Kasim said. He added that his father is 'incarcerated in a solitary confinement cell,' and the state of the cell is 'awful, quite frankly.' Kasim continued, alleging that Imran is showering in muddy water and that 10 people incarcerated in the same conditions have died from filthy circumstances. 'There were moments when he went 10 days without any light in his cell,' he said, calling it a 'torture tactic.' 'We're not able to speak to him at all,' Kasim expressed, voicing his concern over not being able to see his father. He said that he and his brother were 'looking to America at the moment' for support, as it 'seems like it might be the only route out at the moment.' He also mentioned a meeting in the US with US President Donald Trump's key aide, Richard Grenell, who was 'very kind to spend some time with us.' Kasim added, 'We spoke at length, and I don't want to get into details, but I'm very, very hopeful from that.'
Express Tribune
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Punjab opposition slams police raids ahead of Aug 5 protest
Listen to article The Opposition in the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday strongly condemned police raids on the residences of its MPAs and the alleged harassment of their families ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) countrywide protest on August 5. As the assembly session began under the chair of Acting Speaker Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channer, Deputy Opposition Leader Muhammad Moeenuddin Riaz raised the issue on a point of order, expressing serious concern over what he termed as a preemptive crackdown. 'There are still many days left in August 5, but the police officials have already started conducting raids at the residences of our MPAs,' he said. 'It is regrettable that the families of our MPAs and workers are also being harassed by Punjab police,' he added, demanding the law minister take immediate notice of the situation. Read More: LHC suspends by-poll schedule for NA-175 Riaz also voiced disappointment over the delay in forming a committee to investigate an earlier incident involving an attack and the use of abusive language against Opposition MPAs by the private guards of treasury lawmakers. However, Provincial Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman appeared unaware of the raids. 'It is not in my knowledge,' he said, while assuring the House that he would contact senior police officials and the Home Department to obtain more information. Later, Opposition MPA Tayyab Rashid raised concerns about the illegal human organ trade, alleging that a kidney transplantation racket was operating in Sheikhupura 'under the nose of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.' He criticised the government for targeting the Opposition instead of addressing pressing issues affecting the public. 'The government should de-focus from the Opposition and do something for the needy masses,' he said. Also Read: District hospitals to offer angioplasty PPP MPA Qazi Ahmad Saeed also spoke on the floor, highlighting an alleged water theft scandal. He claimed that influential individuals were diverting canal water to their own lands, leaving poor farmers helpless. 'They knocked the doors many times of concerned authorities, but their efforts proved futile,' he told the assembly. From the treasury benches, MPA Amjad Ali Javed raised an issue regarding Higher Education Commission (HEC) policies, stating that new regulations were causing distress among computer science students. He said the HEC had ruled that a computer science degree would not be considered valid without accreditation from a specific council. 'Students who have completed two semesters are now deeply concerned about the issue,' Javed noted. He urged the HEC to review and relax the policy in the interest of students' futures.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
May 9 trials: PTI seeks SC review
ISLAMABAD: The opposition leader in National Assembly Omar Ayub called on the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi on Tuesday to intervene in what he described as 'constitutional and procedural violations' surrounding the ongoing trials linked to the May 9, 2023 unrest. In a detailed letter addressed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Ayub, who is also a senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), framed his appeal both as a political leader and as an individual directly affected by the legal proceedings. He characterised the trials, which are taking place in multiple cities including Lahore, Faisalabad, and Sargodha, as 'rushed' and 'unfair,' warning that such processes undermine public trust in the country's judiciary. 'The integrity of the country's judicial process is under grave threat,' he wrote, alleging that Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs) were holding sessions late into the night, sometimes until 2 or 3 am. 'This is neither justice delayed nor justice served – this is justice crushed and buried under the weight of exhaustion, coercion, and haste,' he lamented. Ayub cited numerous Supreme Court verdicts underscoring the necessity of transparency, fairness, and due process. Quoting the landmark ruling in State vs Ziaul Haq (1975), he emphasised, 'Justice must not only be done, it must manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.' The opposition leader expressed deep concern over what he described as a 'systematic' erosion of legal rights for PTI members, accusing authorities of prosecutorial overreach, filing fabricated complaints, and using coercive tactics. He also raised alarms about restrictions placed on defendants' access to legal counsel of their choice, citing Article 10A of the Constitution, and alleged that courts were frequently denying adjournments and appointing state lawyers without consent. Highlighting violations of constitutional protections, including Articles 4, 10A, 14, 19A, and 25, Ayub warned that such practices contravened not only national law but also international standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. He likened the secretive nature of the trials to the notorious 'Star Chambers' of 17th-century England, underscoring the opacity and lack of public scrutiny. He called on Justice Afridi to take urgent corrective action, including a comprehensive review of all May 9 trials to ensure adherence to fair trial norms and enforcing reasonable court hours. He also urged safeguarding the right to counsel, expanding media access, and investigating allegations of prosecutorial and police misconduct. He also urged reopening trials concluded under questionable conditions. Concluding his letter, Ayub invoked a famous quote from former US Chief Justice Earl Warren: 'The treatment a government gives its citizens when accused of crime reveals the very essence of justice in that society.' He reminded the Chief Justice Afridi of his constitutional duty as the 'guardian of the Constitution' to ensure that courts serve justice rather than political interests. 'The public is watching closely,' he warned. 'And history is being written every day.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
