Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Friday apprised the Senate that PTI founder and his spouse Bushra Bibi were being provided the best available medical treatment in Pakistan, while meetings in jail were being regulated under court-approved procedures.
Responding to points raised by the leader of the opposition and other lawmakers in the Senate, Rana Sanaullah said political parties should remain within democratic and peaceful boundaries and avoid actions that could create instability in the country.
He said the events of May 9 were attacks on national institutions, adding that such actions carried serious consequences.
Rana Sanaullah said that repeated attempts to march on the capital and confront the state had further complicated the political environment.
He said that the issue of meetings with the PTI founder had already been settled through proceedings before the Islamabad High Court after multiple petitions were filed.
He said that a larger bench of the court had devised a mechanism under which meetings were to be held twice a week, with separate days allocated for lawyers and family members and lists of six visitors to be provided in advance.
The adviser said that PTI leaders, including party secretary general Salman Akram Raja, had assured the court that meetings would not be used for political messaging or media campaigns against state institutions. However, he said that the agreed understanding was repeatedly violated through press conferences, international media campaigns and anti-state propaganda after meetings.
Rana Sanaullah said that campaigns targeting state institutions and their heads were carried out abroad, adding that evidence regarding such activities could be presented whenever required. He said that jail rules did not permit the use of prison meetings for political purposes, and restrictions were imposed only after repeated violations of agreed procedures.
Regarding the PTI founder’s health and jail conditions, the adviser said that the matter had also been reviewed by the Supreme Court, which sought reports from jail authorities. He said that the court had directed lawyer Salman Safdar to independently inspect the facilities and submit a report, adding that the findings matched the report submitted by jail authorities.
Rana Sanaullah said that both the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi were receiving the best possible medical facilities available in the country. He said that a five-member medical board formed on the recommendation of PTI’s own doctors had also endorsed the treatment already being provided. He said that in his view, the Rules of Business of Parliament did not provide room for formation of a committee to interfere in executive matters related to prison administration.
Later, the Senate session was adjourned to meet again pm Monday at 5:00 p.m.
