Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has, without naming anyone, hinted at transferring Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan if the party becomes a threat to other prisoners at Rawalpindi’s Adial jail facility.
“If they [PTI] gather outside Adiala jail [again] and endanger other inmates, then ‘a prisoner’ will be transferred [from the facility],” Talal said in a video statement without taking Imran’s name.
Noting that “these people” were becoming a threat to prisoners, the minister further warned that in case of chaos outside Adiala jail, or anywhere else, the law will take its due course.
Tensions have escalated outside Adiala Jail recently as PTI protests, including scuffles with police and jail staff, continue over meetings with former prime minister Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned there for over two years.
Last month, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi staged a 16-hour sit-in outside the facility. Before this, Imran’s sisters Aleema Khan, Noreen Khan Niazi and Uzma Khanum also held a protest outside the jail, which resulted in their brief detention.
Meetings with the PTI founder have been a point of contention between the former ruling party and the government for quite some time, with the last meeting held last week when ex-PM’s sister Uzma was allowed to meet him.
However, since then, the government, as confirmed by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, has imposed a blanket ban on meetings with the incarcerated politician.
Moreover, the District Administration of Rawalpindi has extended the enforcement of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure until 10 December, citing prevailing law and order concerns.
The order, initially imposed by the deputy commissioner, restricts public gatherings of more than four individuals and prohibits rallies and political assemblies in the city. “This measure is necessary to maintain peace and prevent any untoward incidents,” officials stated.
Separately, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said the PTI founder “can never be minus”, insisting he remains the leader of a major political force backed by a significant portion of the population.
“The PTI founder is not the kind of leader you can even think of minus-ing,” he told media outside Parliament House in Islamabad, urging political actors to “think democratically and think positively.”
Gohar then called on the authorities to facilitate a meeting between the PTI founder, Bushra Bibi, and their families.
“Arrange the meeting and you will see good things emerging instead of negative talk,” he said, asking whether Bushra Bibi’s family had ever spoken publicly after any meeting.
He criticised the political commentary and press conferences taking place, saying: “The talks happening right now will only make Pakistan’s enemies happy. Anyone who believes in democracy would not be able to sleep in this situation.”
He added that the public was looking towards leadership, but “we have become so entangled that people are losing hope.”
Turning to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gohar expressed surprise that KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi was “thinking about governor’s rule.” He added: “God willing, the governor’s rule will never be imposed in KP. We want stability and improvement in the province.”