PTI leaders again stopped from meeting Imran Khan at Adiala jail

ISLAMABAD: Meetings with incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan remained suspended on Thursday after party leaders were once again stopped outside Adiala jail despite being listed for a visit.

According to the details shared by PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja with jail authorities earlier, six party figures were nominated for the meeting: Seemabia Tahir, Haider Mehdi, Raja Saqib Ali, Jahangir Ahmed Butt, Malik Najam Khan and Muhammad Owais Qaiser.

Speaking about the development, PTI core committee member Seemabia Tahir said the approved meeting window was from 2pm to 4pm and that party workers and leaders reached Adiala jail at 1:45pm. She said that at the Dhagil check post, they informed officials that their names were on the list and that, under the apex court’s orders, they should be permitted to meet Imran Khan.

At the Dhagil check post, we informed authorities that our names were included in the list and, as per orders of the apex court, we should be allowed to meet Imran. But we were not allowed to move ahead. We were left with no option, so we started protesting.

Tahir said the group remained there until 4:30pm before deciding to leave.

We remained there till 4:30pm and finally decided to return.

Replying to a question, Tahir said it was unfortunate that Imran Khan had lost 85 per cent of his vision in one eye and that the other eye had also been affected. She further alleged that he had been kept in solitary confinement for the last five months, calling it a violation of national and international laws.

Imran has been in solitary confinement for the last five months and it is a violation of national and international laws. When Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari and Maryam Nawaz were in Adiala jail, they were allowed to meet anyone. But Imran is not allowed to meet his family members. His family physicians are also not being allowed to meet him.

The Islamabad High Court has allowed Imran Khan to meet family members, lawyers and other associates twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Despite that order, his meetings with visitors have largely remained restricted for several weeks. His last reported meeting took place on February 10 with his lawyer Salman Safdar, after the Supreme Court intervened following a prolonged period during which no visits were allowed.

Imran Khan’s family and PTI have alleged that he is being held in solitary confinement. After the Adiala jail administration did not allow his sisters to meet him on March 24, the party described the restrictions as a violation of fundamental rights and called for an immediate end to what it said was his solitary confinement.

PTI criticises LPG price increase

Separately, PTI on Thursday rejected the recent increase in liquefied petroleum gas prices and also opposed an expected rise in petroleum product prices, describing the measures as anti-people and unjust.

In a statement, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said the decisions would place further pressure on citizens already facing severe economic strain. He said the government’s economic approach and dependence on the International Monetary Fund were driving the country deeper into inflation and hardship.

Increasing LPG prices at a time when people are already suffering from rising electricity, gas, and food costs will make life more difficult.

Akram said LPG remained a key energy source for many people, especially in remote and rural parts of the country.

The recent price hike will affect low-income families and make their lives even more difficult.

He also warned that any increase in petroleum prices would raise transport costs and directly affect the prices of essential items.

As a result, the cost of flour, sugar, vegetables, medicines, and other necessities will further rise.

Statement on Middle East situation

In a separate statement on the situation in the Middle East, Akram said Pakistan’s declaration to host talks between relevant stakeholders reflected hope for peace in the region and said the world was moving toward dangerous instability, as warned by Imran Khan.

He said Pakistan should stay away from wars and instead play a constructive role in advancing peace.

According to PTI, the ‘peace model’ is the only viable solution, as wars have proven to be a failed strategy that only destroys economies and pushes people into poverty.

Akram also appreciated China’s role in promoting regional peace and stability. He urged the international community not to ignore Iran’s sovereignty and called for an immediate ceasefire in ongoing conflicts, saying prolonged wars badly damage economies and leave ordinary citizens facing severe hardship.

He further condemned recent Israeli legislation targeting Palestinians, calling it inhumane and unacceptable, and criticised the government’s silence on the matter while urging a clear and principled diplomatic position in support of Palestinian rights.