Angry Aleema reprimands PTI lawyers

RAWALPINDI: PTI founder chairman Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan Tuesday had a heated exchange with some PTI lawyers at the entrance of the Adiala jail.

After meeting Imran, Aleema reprimanded Imran’s lawyers, stating that only those with official responsibility would be allowed to meet the PTI founder. She insisted that no lawyer should enter the jail without authorization, questioning, “What kind of drama is this? Everyone just comes here to meet him. Our brother is inside; we love him and we can even lay down our lives for him.”

Aleema warned lawyers not to file additional petitions with the courts on their own, stating that only Salman Akram and Salman Safdar were authorised to submit legal petitions. She expressed concern that her brother was not being allowed books and phone calls with his children.

Aleema confronted Naeem Panjotha, asking whom he had been meeting. Panjotha replied, “I haven’t met anyone. If I have, let me know who.” This response angered Aleema Khan, who sternly told him not to misbehave. Panjotha defended himself, saying, “I am not misbehaving. We have endured jails and legal cases.”

Aleema snapped back, saying, “How dare you speak to me like this? Stay quiet.” As the situation escalated, other lawyers intervened and moved Panjotha aside to defuse tension.

Sources later revealed that Naeem Panjotha complained to Imran Khan about Aleema Khan’s harsh attitude. Imran listened calmly to the complaint and assured Panjotha that he would speak to Aleema Khan about the matter, jail sources maintained.

Meanwhile, PTI founder Imran Khan’s spokesperson Niazullah Khan Niazi Tuesday voiced his serious concern about the alleged restrictions imposed on Imran Khan in jail. Speaking to the media outside the Adiala jail for the first time after his appointment, Niazi said Imran was not being provided with books and other necessary items and was not even allowed to meet his wife.

He said under the law, 90 days allowed for 72 hours of visitation, yet he was being denied this right. He said Chaudhry Zaheer Abbas will file a petition on the matter.

Meanwhile, talking to the media, Barrister Salman Akram Raja said, “We informed Imran Khan about the JUIF’s recent meeting, and he expressed satisfaction. A petition will be filed to allow a medical examination of both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi through their personal doctors.”