ISLAMABAD (MNN); A disagreement has emerged between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and the Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) over plans for a proposed protest outside Adiala Jail, with TTAP rejecting claims that PTI leaders were unaware of the arrangements.
The controversy began after PTI founder Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, stated that Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai had suggested that 10,000 supporters could gather outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail if a specific time was announced. According to her, a sit-in had been planned from 3pm to 7pm.
However, PTI Parliamentary Leader in the National Assembly Shahid Khattak denied that the party had been informed about any such plan. Speaking to the media, he said Achakzai had never asked PTI to arrange 10,000 people and argued that the party could have mobilised supporters had it been informed in advance.
On Wednesday, TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai rejected Khattak’s remarks, insisting that PTI leaders had repeatedly urged Achakzai to announce a fixed date and time for a protest outside Adiala Jail so supporters could be mobilised effectively.
According to Yousafzai, Achakzai conveyed the proposal to Aleema Khan, who agreed to the idea of holding a protest at a predetermined time outside the prison.
He further claimed that during a joint parliamentary meeting of the Senate and National Assembly held on June 11 at Parliament House, PTI’s parliamentary leadership, including Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Shahid Khattak, was informed that Aleema Khan had endorsed the proposal.
TTAP stated that participants in the meeting were also informed that the planned protest would conclude at a designated time on Tuesday. Yousafzai maintained that all discussions and decisions had been shared with PTI’s parliamentary leadership and expressed concern over Khattak’s subsequent statements.
Meanwhile, former prime minister Imran Khan remains incarcerated at Adiala Jail, where he is serving a 14-year sentence in the £190 million corruption case, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case. He has been in prison since August 2023.
Although the Islamabad High Court has allowed Imran Khan to meet family members, lawyers and associates twice a week, PTI leaders have repeatedly complained that access to him has remained restricted.
The PTI founder has also been receiving treatment for a right central retinal vein occlusion eye condition. His medical treatment began in January and has continued through multiple procedures over recent months.
The issue of Imran Khan’s health and prison conditions has remained a point of contention between the government and the opposition. PTI has accused the government of lacking transparency regarding his medical treatment and restricting access for his personal doctors, allegations that the government denies.
The opposition has repeatedly demanded that Imran Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for treatment under the supervision of his personal physicians and be granted greater access to family members.
