——— Khan described it solitary confinement and highlighted denial of basic rights, including visitation
——— Info Minister says Imran’s Adiala ‘presidential suite’ better than middle-class house
ISLAMABAD: In a rare interview from prison, former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan denounced his harsh confinement conditions, likening them to those of a terrorist.
Khan described it as solitary confinement with minimal space and constant surveillance, highlighting the denial of basic rights, including visitation.
“I am confined in a 7ft by 8ft death cell, typically reserved for terrorists to ensure they have no contact with anyone,” he told The Sunday Times. “It is solitary confinement with barely any space to move. I am under constant surveillance by the agencies, being recorded 24/7, and I am denied basic prisoner and human rights such as visitation,” he said. Khan, 71, has been imprisoned for nearly a year on various charges, including corruption, treason, and an illegal marriage. His third wife, Bushra, is also incarcerated. The interview was conducted through his lawyers due to restrictions on his access to writing materials.
Recently, a UN working group declared Khan’s detention as arbitrary and in violation of international law, calling for his immediate release. Despite recent court rulings overturning some of his convictions, Khan remains in jail as bail was denied over allegations of inciting riots last year.
The government is contemplating a ban on Imran Khan’s party, PTI, which won the most seats in the February elections. Khan argues that the elections were marred by “unprecedented pre-poll rigging,” including his imprisonment and the banning of his party’s symbol.
“The election results and the voter turnout were nothing short of a soft revolution that took place under a martial law environment,” he said. “People voted for me because they are fed up with the current system and how Pakistan is being run.” Khan further said: “These games are being played to break me and my party, but by the grace of the Almighty, nothing has or will succeed.”
PTI supremo expressed that the UN’s decision underscores the injustices he and his party have faced, emphasizing that the report provides an objective view of the situation. He urged the international community to review the findings and address the issues impacting Pakistan’s democracy and its people. –Agencies
