Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently incarcerated, has voiced grievances about his treatment, claiming he is being “caged like a terrorist” and deprived of basic prisoner and human rights, according to a report by UK publication The Sunday times.
In a rare interview conducted via his lawyers, Khan, 71, expressed his concerns about his conditions in Adiala Jail, where he has been held for nearly a year following his conviction in the Toshakhana reference, the cipher case, and the Iddat case, which also involves his wife, Bushra Bibi.
Khan’s sentence for the Toshakhana reference was suspended on April 1, and he was acquitted by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the cipher case in June. Several other cases against him, stemming from the events of May 9, 2023, have also seen acquittals. His first arrest on that day had triggered nationwide riots and a subsequent crackdown against him and his party.
Recently, an Islamabad district and sessions court accepted appeals from Khan and his wife regarding their conviction in the Iddat case. Despite this, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) re-arrested them in a new Toshakhana case, casting doubt on his potential release.
“I am confined in a 7ft by 8ft death cell, typically reserved for terrorists to ensure they have no contact with anyone,” Khan told the private news outlet. “It is solitary confinement with barely any space to move. I am under constant surveillance, being recorded 24/7, and denied basic prisoner and human rights such as visitation,” he added.
Earlier this month, a United Nations working group on human rights criticized the legal basis of the cases against Khan, deeming them politically motivated to exclude him from politics. The group demanded his release and compensation.
Khan and his wife have sought relief from high courts after their latest arrests, but he was denied bail by the Lahore High Court for allegedly inciting supporters during the May 9 riots.
To tighten measures against Khan, the government announced plans to ban his party, PTI. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar cited the foreign funding case, the May 9 riots, and the cipher episode, stating there was credible evidence to ban PTI under Article 17 of the Constitution. This decision has been referred to the Supreme Court.
The move has faced criticism across the political spectrum, with many calling it “undemocratic.” The US State Department also expressed concern, stating, “Banning a political party would be of great concern to us.”
Additionally, the government plans to submit a review petition to the Supreme Court against a verdict that made PTI eligible for reserved seats for women and minorities. The Supreme Court had ruled in favor of PTI after appeals against the denial of these seats by the Peshawar High Court (PHC) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
PTI-backed candidates, who won the February 8 elections as independents after their party was stripped of its election symbol, had joined the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) to form a coalition. The Supreme Court annulled the PHC’s decision and declared the ECP’s ruling unconstitutional.
Tarar stated that the PTI was not directly involved in the case and the candidates had submitted SIC affidavits, joining the party. He pointed out that according to SIC’s manifesto, a non-Muslim cannot be a member, thus the party couldn’t secure minority seats.
Following this, the government submitted a review petition to the Supreme Court to suspend the verdict regarding the reserved seats.
In his interview, Khan referred to the Supreme Court’s ruling, claiming his party “secured a significant majority of approximately 175 seats, not the 93 that were officially acknowledged after being usurped.” He spends his time in prison planning for the future, maintaining that he will make a comeback.
“Despite being caged, the entire country looks to me for hope and resilience. Most importantly, my prayers keep me steadfast, my belief in God assures me that justice will prevail over tyranny,” he stated.
