Opposition leader in NA criticises govt for defying court order, says they were denied meeting with PTI founder.
\n Islamabad
\nLeader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, has accused the government of preventing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from offering Eid prayers, questioning how an Islamic state like Pakistan can deny its founding party leader the opportunity to perform this religious obligation.
\nAyub made the remarks after a group of PTI leaders, including himself, Shibli Faraz, party spokesperson Niazullah Niazi, Aliya Hamza, and others, attempted to meet with Imran Khan at Adiala Jail on Thursday, Express News reported.
\nThe party\u2019s secretary, Salman Akram Raja, had already submitted the names of those wishing to meet Khan to the jail authorities. However, when the leaders arrived at the jail around 4 pm, they were informed that the meeting was not allowed, despite a judicial order permitting it.
\nSpeaking to the media outside Adiala Jail, Ayub expressed frustration over the refusal, saying, \u201cDespite a court order, we were not allowed to meet with the founder of PTI. These meetings are usually finalised by the founder himself and shared with his lawyers.\u201d
\nHe further claimed that Khan had been denied contact with his children and sisters for the past two and a half months.
\nAyub also accused the government of preventing Imran Khan from offering Eid prayers, emphasising that such actions were a severe violation of human rights and dignity. \u201cHow can we call this an Islamic state if the founder of PTI is not allowed to pray on Eid? This is the worst form of disgrace,\u201d he said.
\nThe PTI leader criticised the government for repeatedly violating court orders, urging judges to ensure their rulings are enforced. He added that if the judiciary fails to uphold its orders, judges should resign.
\nMeanwhile, opposition leader in the Senate, Shibli Faraz, also spoke out, saying the refusal to allow a second meeting with Imran Khan showed a disregard for judicial decisions.
\n\u201cWhen a country disregards court decisions, it can no longer be called a country. Selective enforcement of the law shows that the judiciary\u2019s credibility is eroding,\u201d Faraz stated.
\nAllegations of mistreatment against Imran Khan
\nPTI leader Aliya Hamza also spoke to the media, condemning the treatment of the PTI founder. \u201cIt\u2019s shameful that our former prime minister is being treated this way. He has been denied contact with his sisters, children, and wife. He is given stale food and denied access to newspapers and television,\u201d Hamza said.
\nShe further alleged that Khan was being punished not for any criminal activity but because he refused to bow to the establishment. \u201cHe prioritises the nation\u2019s interests over his own,\u201d she added.
\nAliya also drew attention to the disparity in treatment between Khan and other political elites, who, she said, receive preferential treatment. \u201cThe elite have their meetings with the superintendent in private rooms, while our leader is denied even basic rights.\u201d
\nAddressing internal party issues, Aliya asserted that there was no conflict within PTI. \u201cHammad Azhar is like a brother to me. If we had any issues with Khan, we would openly discuss them,\u201d she said. \u201cOur struggle is for the release of the founder and for the greater cause of justice and democracy.\u201d
\nShe emphasised that PTI would continue to fight for justice and Khan\u2019s release, stressing that the party would not back down despite the ongoing political and legal challenges. \u201cWe will keep fighting for justice, and we won\u2019t stop until we see the release of our leader, as our struggle is for a greater cause,\u201d she concluded.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Opposition leader in NA criticises govt for defying court order, says they were denied meeting with PTI founder. Islamabad Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, has accused the government of preventing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from offering Eid prayers, questioning how an Islamic state like Pakistan can deny its […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":377808,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-470323","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n