PTI Lawyer
RAWALPINDI: Faisal Chaudhry, the lawyer representing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, was arrested outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail on Friday.
His arrest came just a day after he allegedly used abusive language against a jail officer when he was denied permission to meet the incarcerated former prime minister.
According to sources, a heavy contingent of police was deployed at Adiala Jail’s check post when Chaudhry arrived to hold a meeting with Khan.
The authorities took him into custody, citing his derogatory remarks against Assistant Superintendent Imran Riaz as the reason for his formal arrest. Chaudhry was then shifted to the check post inside the jail.
Speaking to journalists outside the prison before his arrest, Chaudhry criticized the authorities for issuing a notice against him only after the incident had gained public attention.
He claimed that his only wrongdoing was conveying Imran Khan’s message to the public. He also stated that he had sent a court order to the jail superintendent via WhatsApp, but it was ignored.
The incident leading to his arrest occurred a day earlier when Chaudhry was involved in a verbal confrontation with the Adiala Jail administration after being stopped from entering the facility.
In a widely circulated video, he can be heard using harsh language against the jail officer, questioning why he was being denied access. Meanwhile, the assistant superintendent can be heard attempting to explain the situation.
Following the altercation, Chaudhry lodged a complaint against the jail authorities at Adiala Jail Chowki. In his application, he stated that he held the power of attorney in all cases related to Imran Khan and accused the jail staff of harassing him and other petitioners.
He claimed that he was forced to sit in the deputy superintendent’s office for two hours simply for protesting the restrictions placed on him.
Imran Khan, the 71-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician, has been behind bars since August 2023 after being sentenced in the Toshakhana case, one of the numerous legal battles he has faced since his removal from power in April 2022.
His detention has led to repeated clashes between PTI and law enforcement, with the party alleging political victimization. Chaudhry’s arrest is the latest addition to the ongoing tensions between PTI leaders and the government.
