PTI alleges assault on Aaliya Hamza in Kot Lakhpat Jail

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday alleged that its Punjab chief organiser Aaliya Hamza was attacked by female inmates inside Kot Lakhpat Jail, while prison authorities denied any physical assault and said only a verbal altercation had taken place.

The party claimed the incident occurred after a dispute over water in the jail toilet, alleging that one woman inmate, along with around 10 others, attacked Hamza and tried to strangle her. PTI leaders said jailed party members Sanam Javed and Falak Javed intervened and pulled her away.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said “disturbing news” had emerged from the jail about an “attempt on Aaliya’s life”. He said the Punjab government and the jail administration were responsible for ensuring her safety in custody, and demanded an immediate and transparent inquiry, action against negligent staff and registration of a case.

Raja also said a petition would be filed in court, in consultation with Hamza’s family, seeking her medical examination and protection.

Punjab Inspector General Prisons Mian Salik Jalal rejected the PTI’s account, saying there had been no physical clash. He said the women inmates had only exchanged heated words over fetching water from the jail toilet.

Hamza was arrested in March and shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail. Police had said at the time that she had been absconding and was organising gatherings of PTI legislators, ticket-holders and workers outside Adiala Jail.

She was arrested while visiting family members in Lahore during Eidul Fitr and was taken to Shadman Police Station before being moved to jail. Raja had also condemned her arrest, calling the case against her fake, the sentence unlawful and the arrest an act of “fascism”.