'Unbelievably cruel': PDP leader on Imran Khan's return to jail
Srinagar, August 21: People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti on Friday criticised the Pakistan Army for sending former Prime Minister Imran Khan back to jail after a medical check-up, describing the move as "unbelievably cruel".
In a post on X, Mufti said: "Unbelievably cruel for the Pakistani army to send Imran Khan back into jail. The man has been incarcerated for the last three years over baseless preposterous charges. Small men in big chairs syndrome. I do admire how Imran Khan refuses to compromise and continues to hold his ground. Respect."
Khan, a former cricketer-turned-politician, was shifted back to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Friday morning after undergoing a medical examination at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. Doctors from Al-Shifa Hospital were also present during the examination, according to reports.
The former prime minister has been in prison since August 2023, facing multiple legal cases that he and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), maintain are politically motivated. Over the past three years, Khan has been convicted in several cases, though many of these verdicts have been challenged in higher courts. His supporters have frequently alleged that the military establishment, which has wielded significant influence over Pakistan's politics, is behind his detention.
Friday's development is not the first time Khan has been moved to a hospital and then returned to jail. He has undergone multiple medical check-ups during his incarceration, often under tight security. The latest examination was scheduled amid concerns about his health, although specific details of his condition have not been officially disclosed.
Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, has been an outspoken critic of actions taken by Pakistan's security establishment. Her remarks come days after PTI leaders in Pakistan reiterated demands for Khan's release, accusing the government of ignoring court orders and suppressing dissent.
There has been no official response yet from Pakistan Army officials or the Pakistani government regarding Mufti's statement. The focus of the Pakistani authorities has been on maintaining legal proceedings against Khan, who remains a polarising figure in the country's politics.
Khan's imprisonment has drawn attention from international observers and human rights groups, with several organisations calling for due process and transparency in his cases. However, Pakistani officials have maintained that Khan is being treated according to the law and that his cases are being handled independently by the judiciary.
As the legal battles continue, Khan's party has faced a crackdown, with many of its senior leaders either arrested or forced underground. The political turmoil in Pakistan remains a matter of concern for regional stability, with India closely watching the situation across the border.
Mufti's comments add to a growing chorus of voices within India and abroad expressing concern over Khan's continued detention. While her remarks reflect a personal opinion, they underscore the heightened tensions surrounding Pakistan's political landscape.
