‘Imran decides about who can meet him in jail’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Spokesperson Thursday clarified that the party leadership submitted a list of leaders for a meeting with PTI Founding Chairman Imran Khan, who subsequently approved the final names with the party officials having no role in the selection process.

Reacting to PTI leader Salar Khan Kakar’s tweet, wherein he decried having been left out for a meeting with the party founder chairman, PTI spokesperson said that only a handful of people could meet with him in jail at a time on the designated days after following due process. Kakar is a member of the party’s core committee from Balochistan.

Salar Kakar in his tweet said, “Imran Khan called me for a meeting twice. Today, for the second week in a row, my name is cut off and I am sent back from the gate of Adiala. I will hold a press conference after consulting friends from all the districts of Balochistan. Khan Sahib’s devotees are being kept away from him and party affairs under a well-thought-out conspiracy.”

PTI spokesperson clarified that the party leadership explained the procedure of meeting with Imran Khan a number of times. He pointed out that the meeting was only possible with the approval of PTI founder under the coordinated procedure.

He made it clear that it was not possible for everyone to meet Imran Khan at the same time because the jail administration allowed only handful of people. He clarified that the party’s official had no role in the selection process of people for the meeting with PTI founding chairman.

PTI Spokesperson said that the list of the proposed persons for the meeting was presented to Imran Khan, who finalised the names.

He stated that it was inappropriate and a violation of party discipline to blame any party’s official in this regard. PTI spokesperson emphasised that the party leaders should follow the set pattern instead of forming opinions based on hearsay.

Meanwhile, PTI spokesperson demanded that PTI founding chairman should be allowed to appear in person in the Supreme Court (SC) in the NAB amendment case.

He contended that Imran Khan, as the former prime minister and leader of the ‘largest and most popular political party’ in the country, has the fundamental constitutional right to appear in person in the apex court.

He said that Imran Khan wanted to fight this case himself despite facing baseless, frivolous, bogus and politically motivated cases because it is a matter of national interest.

He termed the SC’s decision of not allowing Imran Khan to speak during the previous hearing and imposing a ban on live broadcasting of the proceedings as disappointing because he was not only a leader of the biggest political party but a national hero, who was the most effective voice against corruption and the corrupt leaders of the country.

Separately, he has denounced the unlawful raid by Islamabad police on PTI central office in the presence of a UN delegation, saying this incident sends a disturbing message to the entire world that the constitution and law have become meaningless and hold no value in Pakistan.

PTI Spokesperson vehemently condemned the Islamabad police for their illegal raid on the PTI central office, ‘involving a massive contingent, and the harassment of the United Nations delegation present at the scene’.

He said that the police unlawfully raided the central office under the guise of search operation in the presence of the UN delegation without a warrant.

PTI spokesperson alleged that the unfortunate incident was a part of the long and ending series of attempts to harass and intimidate the party and its workers and leaders.

“The entire world now knows that the dignity and privacy of the Pakistani people and sanctity of four walls are under threat from their own protectors,” he added.

PTI spokesperson demanded that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi should be held accountable for the police unlawful raid on PTI central office.