ISLAMABAD: Efforts to negotiate between the government and the opposition have encountered significant setbacks. On Tuesday, Aleema Khan, the sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, claimed that her brother was presented with a house arrest deal by the authorities for his transfer from Adiala jail to his Banigala residence.
Aleema stated that several offers had been communicated to Imran Khan via Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, suggesting that Imran should remain silent in exchange for the house arrest arrangement. She questioned how her brother could accept such an offer after enduring time in jail.
This came after both the government and PTI previously denied any offer to move Imran Khan from jail.
PTI’s Demand for Unmonitored Access
In a separate development, the PTI’s negotiations with the government regarding the release of political prisoners and the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 and November 26 incidents made little progress. PTI leaders, after meeting Imran Khan in jail, demanded unrestricted access to their leader, citing that the meeting had been monitored. They expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s refusal to provide an unmonitored meeting.
Omar Ayub, a PTI leader, emphasized that the party had asked for an unmonitored meeting with Imran but was denied. He also alleged that the room where the meeting took place had been rigged with surveillance equipment.
Barrister Gohar and PTI’s Demands
Interim PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan suggested that the government should not make a big issue of the PTI’s failure to provide written demands, urging them to focus on de-escalating tensions. Barrister Salman Akram Raja clarified that PTI had already submitted two main demands: the release of political prisoners and the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the violent events in May and November. He also questioned why PTI leaders were denied a private and unmonitored meeting with Imran Khan, suggesting it raised doubts about the government’s sincerity in negotiations.
Imran Khan Files Petition Over Jail Conditions
In another legal development, Imran Khan filed a petition in Islamabad’s special court, accusing jail authorities of denying him basic rights as per the jail manual and other legal provisions. Imran claimed the government was orchestrating politically motivated persecution, including restricting his access to phone calls, medical visits, and reading material.
Imran’s petition highlighted grievances such as being denied weekly phone calls to his children, a ban on visits from his personal doctor, and lack of access to newspapers and television. He also alleged that he was being isolated in jail and cut off from the outside world. His legal team requested the court to direct the authorities to ensure his access to these basic rights, including phone calls, medical checkups, and compliance with jail regulations.
Court Adjournment and Bail Applications
Furthermore, the Additional Sessions Court in Islamabad adjourned the pre-arrest bail applications of Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, until January 28. The case pertains to charges related to protests in the capital. Bushra Bibi’s legal team had filed for her exemption from personal attendance, which the court granted. The judge confirmed that all bail applications would be addressed together during the next hearing.
The ongoing legal battles and political negotiations continue to unfold, with Imran Khan’s petition and the PTI’s demands for unmonitored access forming the crux of the current discussions.
