Latest news with #PakistanTehreek-e-Insaf
Express Tribune
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI denounces sentencing of Yasmin Rashid, 40 others in May 9 case
Listen to article Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has denounced the verdicts issued by anti-terrorism courts, sentencing senior party leader Dr Yasmin Rashid and 40 others to 10 years in prison in connection with the May 9 riots case. The party labelled the decision politically motivated and a serious blow to judicial integrity. PTI has called the ruling an attempt to disrupt its planned rally on August 5, intended to mark the anniversary of Imran Khan's arrest. Despite the setback, the party has vowed to continue with its political activities. Dr Yasmin, 72, a former provincial health minister and cancer survivor, has been in custody for nearly two years. PTI highlighted footage from May 9, in which she can be heard discouraging demonstrators from entering the Corps Commander House, arguing that the evidence undermines the charges brought against her. Party officials allege that the convictions are part of a broader campaign of political retaliation, pointing out that PTI leaders who publicly distanced themselves from the party were acquitted in similar cases. Those who remained loyal, they argue, are now facing disproportionate legal consequences. PTI further questioned the credibility of witness testimony presented in the trial. According to the party, the sole witness—an on-duty police constable—initially claimed to have overheard PTI founder Imran Khan planning the May 9 events. However, during subsequent proceedings via video link, the witness reportedly declined to confirm that testimony under oath. Read More: Shah Mahmood Qureshi acquitted, Yasmin Rashid sentenced to 10 years in May 9 riots case "This inconsistent and allegedly coerced testimony raises serious concerns about due process," the party stated, adding that differing outcomes for similarly charged individuals call into question the impartiality of the judicial process. The party also criticised ongoing restrictions on access to Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated. PTI claims that Khan's family members, legal team, and party leaders have been denied visitation rights, in violation of both Pakistani prison regulations and international human rights standards. Under the Prison Act of 1894 and the Jail Rules of 1978, PTI argues that Khan, as a former prime minister and an A-Class prisoner, is entitled to designated legal and personal privileges. These include access to private quarters, medical treatment, consultation with personal physicians and attorneys, visitation rights, and adequate time for exercise. The party maintains that these rights are legal entitlements, not discretionary benefits, and urged authorities to ensure compliance with national and international norms regarding the treatment of prisoners. Also More: Punjab opposition leader, PTI supporters sentenced to 10 years in May 9 case A day earlier, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore acquitted six Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Hamza Azeem, in connection with the May 9 riots. The court delivered its verdict in the case concerning inflammatory speeches and vandalism at the Sherpao Bridge. The court, which had completed final arguments from both the defence and prosecution, reserved its decision before announcing the ruling. The verdict stated that the ATC acquitted Qureshi, Azeem, and four other accused individuals due to insufficient evidence. However, the court found 10 others guilty and handed down 10-year prison sentences for their role in the violence that followed the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. ATC Sargodha also sentenced Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly, PTI's Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar, and other party workers to 10 years in prison each. They were found guilty of involvement in creating law and order disturbances, anarchy, and arson during the May 9 riots, which erupted following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. May 9 Riots The May 9 riots erupted nationwide following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, after which PTI leaders and workers staged protests targeting both civil and military installations, including Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The military condemned the events as a "Black Day" and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act. As a result of the unrest, many PTI members were arrested and tried in military courts. In December, a military court convicted 25 individuals, including Imran Khan's nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi, and later sentenced 60 more. In January, 19 convicts had their sentences pardoned following successful mercy appeals, although PTI expressed dissatisfaction over the limited number of pardons. The military trials had initially been halted following a Supreme Court ruling but were resumed following the court's instructions to finalise pending cases and announce judgments for those involved in the violent incidents.
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First Post
11 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
‘Stay strong': Trump aide meets Imran Khan's sons, takes a jibe at Pakistani establishment
Richard Grenell, a key ally of US President Donald Trump, posted a photo with the sons of jailed former prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and declared: 'You are not alone' read more Richard Grenell, a close aide of US President Donald Trump, met with the sons of jailed Pakistani leader Imran Khan in California Richard Grenell, a key ally of US President Donald Trump, on Tuesday (July 22) met with the sons of jailed former prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan in California. Grenell, who served as Trump's special envoy and US ambassador to Germany, posted a photo with the brothers, Sulaiman Isa Khan and Kasim Khan, on social media. Grenell wrote on X: 'Welcome to California, my friends. I loved hanging out with you today. Sulaiman and @Kasim_Khan1999, you must stay strong. There are millions of people around the world who are sick of political prosecutions. You are not alone.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Welcome to California, my friends. I loved hanging out with you today. Sulaiman and @Kasim_Khan_1999, you must stay strong. There are millions of people around the world who are sick of political prosecutions. You are not alone. #freeimrankhan — Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) July 22, 2025 The meeting has spotlighted Khan's ongoing imprisonment, who has been detained since August 2023. Human rights groups and Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), claim his detention is politically driven. Concerns about Khan's conditions in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, are growing globally. Reports indicate he is held in solitary confinement, cut off from newspapers, books, and television. This isn't Grenell's first show of support for Khan. Grenell previously backed Khan during Trump's 2024 campaign. On Newsmax, he praised Khan's leadership and criticised Pakistan's current government, saying, 'We had a much better relationship with Pakistan during the Trump administration when a guy named Imran Khan was the leader.' He called Khan a 'political outsider with common-sense views.' Grenell also compared Khan's legal battles in Pakistan to Trump's in the US, stating, 'He's currently in prison, facing many of the same allegations as President Trump,' and called for the former cricketer's release. The meeting with Khan's sons is viewed as another clear sign of support from Trump's inner circle. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
NDTV
12 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Trump Aide Meets Imran Khan's Sons In US, Slams 'Political Prosecution'
California: Richard Grenell, US President Donald Trump's envoy for special missions, on Tuesday (local time) met the sons of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in California and once again called for the former Pakistani Prime Minister's release, terming his arrest a case of "political prosecution." Grenell posted a photo with Imran Khan's elder son Sulaiman Isa and his second son Kasim Khan, writing that he "loved hanging out" with them and welcoming them to California. In a post on X, Grenell wrote, "Welcome to California, my friends. I loved hanging out with you today. Sulaiman and @Kasim_Khan_1999, you must stay strong. There are millions of people around the world who are sick of political prosecutions. You are not alone." Welcome to California, my friends. I loved hanging out with you today. Sulaiman and @Kasim_Khan_1999, you must stay strong. There are millions of people around the world who are sick of political prosecutions. You are not alone. #freeimrankhan — Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) July 22, 2025 Grenell's latest comments come amid continued criticism from PTI leaders and rights activists over Khan's detention conditions in Adiala Jail, where he has been imprisoned since August 2023. This is not the first time the former US ambassador has supported Imran Khan. In an interview with Newsmax during Trump's election campaign, Grenell stated that the US had "a much better relationship with Pakistan" during the Trump administration, when Khan was in office. He described Khan as a political outsider with a common-sense approach, drawing parallels between Khan's arrest and the legal challenges faced by Donald Trump in the US. "We had a much better relationship with Pakistan during the Trump administration when a guy named Imran Khan was the leader of Pakistan. That's because Imran Khan was an outsider. He was a former cricket player and actually the captain of the Pakistani national cricket team. He wasn't a politician, and he spoke in very common-sense language. He and Donald Trump had a very good relationship," Grenell said. "I'd like to see Imran Khan be released from jail. He's currently in prison, facing many of the same allegations as President Trump, where the ruling party put him in prison and created some sort of corruption and false allegations," he added. Meanwhile, PTI continues to raise concerns over Khan's prison conditions. As per a Dawn report, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram said at a press conference on Friday that Khan is being held in a "death cell," with no access to books, television, or newspapers. "Despite being a former prime minister, Khan was denied both his status and even the basic rights of an ordinary prisoner, which was a matter of grave concern, as he was the country's most popular leader, and the entire nation was deeply worried about his well-being and safety," Akram said. He warned that the ongoing political and judicial pressure, coupled with poor prison conditions, was pushing Pakistan towards a "constitutional and humanitarian crisis."
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'You are not alone': Trump aide meets Imran Khan's sons in US, calls for end to 'political prosecutions'
Image: X@/RichardGrenell CALIFORNIA: Richard Grenell, US President Donald Trump's envoy for special missions, on Tuesday (local time) met the sons of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in California and once again called for the former Pakistani Prime Minister's release, terming his arrest a case of "political prosecution." Grenell posted a photo with Imran Khan's elder son Sulaiman Isa and his second son Kasim Khan, writing that he "loved hanging out" with them and welcoming them to California. In a post on X, Grenell wrote, "Welcome to California, my friends. I loved hanging out with you today. Sulaiman and @Kasim_Khan_1999, you must stay strong. There are millions of people around the world who are sick of political prosecutions. You are not alone." Grenell's latest comments come amid continued criticism from PTI leaders and rights activists over Khan's detention conditions in Adiala Jail, where he has been imprisoned since August 2023. This is not the first time the former US ambassador has supported Imran Khan. In an interview with Newsmax during Trump's election campaign, Grenell stated that the US had "a much better relationship with Pakistan" during the Trump administration, when Khan was in office. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 21st Century Skills Start with Confident Communication Planet Spark Learn More Undo He described Khan as a political outsider with a common-sense approach, drawing parallels between Khan's arrest and the legal challenges faced by Donald Trump in the US. "We had a much better relationship with Pakistan during the Trump administration when a guy named Imran Khan was the leader of Pakistan. That's because Imran Khan was an outsider. He was a former cricket player and actually the captain of the Pakistani national cricket team. He wasn't a politician, and he spoke in very common-sense language. He and Donald Trump had a very good relationship," Grenell said. "I'd like to see Imran Khan be released from jail. He's currently in prison, facing many of the same allegations as President Trump, where the ruling party put him in prison and created some sort of corruption and false allegations," he added. Meanwhile, PTI continues to raise concerns over Khan's prison conditions. As per a Dawn report, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram said at a press conference on Friday that Khan is being held in a "death cell," with no access to books, television, or newspapers. "Despite being a former prime minister, Khan was denied both his status and even the basic rights of an ordinary prisoner, which was a matter of grave concern, as he was the country's most popular leader, and the entire nation was deeply worried about his well-being and safety," Akram said. He warned that the ongoing political and judicial pressure, coupled with poor prison conditions, was pushing Pakistan towards a "constitutional and humanitarian crisis."
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Business Standard
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Trump aide meets Imran Khan's sons, calls for end to political prosecutions
Richard Grenell, US President Donald Trump's envoy for special missions, on Tuesday (local time) met the sons of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in California and once again called for the former Pakistani Prime Minister's release, terming his arrest a case of "political prosecution." Grenell posted a photo with Imran Khan's elder son Sulaiman Isa and his second son Kasim Khan, writing that he "loved hanging out" with them and welcoming them to California. In a post on X, Grenell wrote, "Welcome to California, my friends. I loved hanging out with you today. Sulaiman and @Kasim_Khan_1999, you must stay strong. There are millions of people around the world who are sick of political prosecutions. You are not alone." Grenell's latest comments come amid continued criticism from PTI leaders and rights activists over Khan's detention conditions in Adiala Jail, where he has been imprisoned since August 2023. This is not the first time the former US ambassador has supported Imran Khan. In an interview with Newsmax during Trump's election campaign, Grenell stated that the US had "a much better relationship with Pakistan" during the Trump administration, when Khan was in office. He described Khan as a political outsider with a common-sense approach, drawing parallels between Khan's arrest and the legal challenges faced by Donald Trump in the US. "We had a much better relationship with Pakistan during the Trump administration when a guy named Imran Khan was the leader of Pakistan. That's because Imran Khan was an outsider. He was a former cricket player and actually the captain of the Pakistani national cricket team. He wasn't a politician, and he spoke in very common-sense language. He and Donald Trump had a very good relationship," Grenell said. "I'd like to see Imran Khan be released from jail. He's currently in prison, facing many of the same allegations as President Trump, where the ruling party put him in prison and created some sort of corruption and false allegations," he added. Meanwhile, PTI continues to raise concerns over Khan's prison conditions. As per a Dawn report, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram said at a press conference on Friday that Khan is being held in a "death cell," with no access to books, television, or newspapers. "Despite being a former prime minister, Khan was denied both his status and even the basic rights of an ordinary prisoner, which was a matter of grave concern, as he was the country's most popular leader, and the entire nation was deeply worried about his well-being and safety," Akram said. He warned that the ongoing political and judicial pressure, coupled with poor prison conditions, was pushing Pakistan towards a "constitutional and humanitarian crisis.
