Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan has filed a petition demanding action against Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and several senior police officials. The request alleges that Khan’s rights as a prisoner in Adiala Jail are being violated under the instructions of the provincial government.
Petition Alleges Denial of Basic Rights
The application, filed through Khan’s lawyer Tabish Farooq, urges the Rawalpindi city police officer to register a case against Maryam Nawaz, the Adiala Jail superintendent, ASP Zainab, SHO Aizaz, and other officials. The petition accuses them of denying Khan basic jail facilities and keeping him in complete darkness inside his cell. It also states that his family has repeatedly been denied visitation rights in violation of court orders.
According to the petition, all measures were taken on the direct orders of Punjab’s chief minister. It also recalls an earlier remark allegedly made by Maryam Nawaz in which she labeled Khan a “seditionist.” Furthermore, the petition claims that certain police officers harassed Khan’s family and obstructed visits from his sisters despite a high court directive allowing such meetings.
Adiala Jail Under Punjab Government Jurisdiction
The petition highlights that Adiala Jail falls under the Punjab government’s control, making the chief minister directly accountable for any irregularities. It demands the registration of a case against all eight named officials, holding them responsible for violating legal and human rights protections.
In response, jail authorities dismissed the allegations. Officials stated that no precedent exists of such an application by any inmate. They added that similar claims were already rejected by various benches of the Islamabad High Court and other judicial forums in over 150 petitions, all of which favored the jail administration.
Separate Legal Proceedings Against PTI Leaders
Meanwhile, a special anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi granted exemption from appearance to Aleema Khanum, Imran Khan’s sister, in a case related to the violent PTI protest of November 26. The case was registered on charges of arson, resistance against police, and violent demonstrations. The court adjourned the matter until September 2 without further action.
PTI Criticizes Maryam Nawaz’s Foreign Tour
In another development, PTI criticized Maryam Nawaz for her recent foreign tour to Japan, calling it a “royal trip.” The party alleged that Punjab has been pushed into heavy borrowing, citing State Bank data which revealed loans of Rs405 billion within the first 38 days of the new fiscal year.
PTI’s information secretary Waqas Akram accused the government of misusing public funds for personal publicity while farmers suffered. He stated that wheat prices were deliberately lowered during the harvesting season to punish farmers who did not support the ruling party. According to him, mafias bought the crop cheaply, and now prices have been increased only to benefit middlemen and profiteers.
The petition against Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has once again placed the spotlight on prison conditions for Imran Khan and the ongoing political rivalry in Pakistan. With PTI intensifying its criticism of the government’s economic policies and leadership style, the confrontation between the two camps shows no signs of slowing down.
