KARACHI: Farhan Javed Memon, a senior member of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Lawyers Forum, strongly condemned the ongoing detention of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, describing his 851-day imprisonment and 29 days of solitary confinement as a severe breach of fundamental rights.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Sindh High Court lawyer accused the government of defying constitutional norms and failing to respect human rights by restricting Khan’s access to family, legal counsel, and personal medical professionals.
Memon said confining the former prime minister to a so-called “death cell” and denying meetings despite court directives was an affront to the judiciary and violated basic human values. He highlighted the denied meeting for the elected Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, questioning the government’s motives. “If Imran Khan’s health is normal, why is the administration refusing to facilitate meetings?” he asked.
The advocate also warned that attempts to impose Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would undermine the provincial mandate and weaken the federal structure. He accused the federal authorities of deliberately withholding funds and manufacturing crises to justify such measures, calling it a misuse of Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution.
On the topic of recent by-elections, Memon cited the 23 percent voter turnout as evidence of low public confidence in the government. He added that allegations of electoral irregularities demonstrate the urgent need for reforms and described the PML-N’s claimed victory as part of a “fabricated mandate.”
Memon also referenced a report by the Commonwealth Observer Group, which he said supported PTI’s claims of election rigging in the 2024 general election. “The popular mandate was stolen, and international observers have now confirmed this,” he said, emphasizing that the PTI Lawyers Forum will continue to pursue justice.
The lawyer criticized what he called the government’s authoritarian approach, pointing to jail trials, restrictions on media and legal professionals, and curbs on freedom of expression under recent PECA amendments.
Concluding his statement, Memon demanded the immediate end of Khan’s isolation, unrestricted access to meetings and medical care, and the cessation of human rights violations. He stressed the need for restoring constitutional order, warning: “The nation will no longer tolerate further delay.”
