PTI alleges Imran Khan, wife denied healthcare and family access in jail

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party unit in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has accused the federal government of denying legal and constitutional rights to former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, both of whom are currently incarcerated. The party alleges that the couple is being deprived of proper healthcare and is not permitted to contact relatives or party members.

Khan, the founder of PTI, has been in prison since August 2023 in connection with multiple cases, while his wife, Bushra Bibi, was initially placed under house arrest and later sent to jail in May 2024. The couple's detention has been a focal point of political tensions between the PTI and the government, with the party repeatedly raising concerns over their treatment.

At a press conference in Peshawar on Friday, Shafi Jan, a PTI leader and a minister in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, detailed the allegations. Jan claimed that Khan and his wife were also not allowed to contact any of their relatives or party members, a restriction he said violates established norms and court orders.

Jan stated that Khan had been suffering from an eye-related ailment for the past four months, and his eyesight has yet to fully recover. He alleged that the couple were taken to a hospital late at night on Thursday for medical treatment, in what he described as a violation of jail regulations.

Speaking at the press conference organised by the Insaf Doctors Forum, the official representative body for healthcare professionals aligned with PTI, Jan said the medical examination and treatment process lasted approximately three hours. "However, no authenticated medical report or details regarding their condition were shared with the party or family members," he added.

The PTI leader demanded that the couple be granted access to their personal physicians and called for their immediate transfer to Shifa International Hospital for comprehensive medical evaluation and treatment. He also referred to court directives concerning meetings with the party's founder, alleging that continued restrictions amount to a violation of judicial orders and could constitute contempt of court.

These allegations come amidst ongoing legal proceedings against Khan, who has faced dozens of cases since his ouster from power in 2022. His supporters and human rights groups have previously raised concerns about his conditions of detention, though the government maintains that due process is being followed.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa PTI unit's statements have added to the political friction, as the party continues to demand Khan's release and better treatment for him and his wife. The government has yet to officially respond to the latest allegations.