Imran’s sons have applied for NICOP as well: Aleema

ISLAMABAD: Aleema Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) patron-in-chief Imran Khan, on Saturday emphasized that Senate selections should have been based on merit and justice.

Speaking to the media outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, she clarified that her brother never prevented his children from visiting Pakistan. “This is a lie,” she stated.

“The children of PTI founder possess National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOPs), but one has been lost. They have applied for both NICOP and visas.”

When questioned about her stance on Mashal Yousafzai’s Senate appointment, Aleema dismissed the topic, saying, “I don’t want to waste time discussing such people. My point is simple: there should have been justice.”

She elaborated, “If you ask me, Senate selections must be merit-based. Many deserving candidates, not just Mashal Yousafzai, meet the criteria. Justice should prevail.”

Expressing frustration over visa delays, she revealed having the tracking numbers for her nephews’ applications but noted the embassy’s denial of receiving them.

“A family friend contacted the ambassador, who said Interior Ministry clearance was needed. Then came news that visas fall under the Foreign Ministry’s domain, not Interior. Now, the ambassador isn’t responding at all—despite emergency visas being issuable within an hour.”

Regarding PTI’s planned protests, Aleema stated, “The people must decide their movement. Our focus is on securing our brother’s release. We’ve battled courts and jail for two years. This movement isn’t about the children—it must continue until justice is served. We’ll participate fully, even if it means arrest.”

She refuted claims that Imran Khan discouraged his sons from visiting Pakistan, quoting him: “Their father alone is enough to lead this movement. The idea that he stopped them is false.”

Comparing the current rulers to Musharraf’s PMLQ, she added that the PPP and PMLN are replicating that playbook, looting in tandem. On Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s operations, she cited Imran’s directive to CM Ali Amin Gandapur: “This operation must not proceed.”

Meanwhile, in a statement, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram accused the regime of resorting to blatant lies about Imran’s sons, calling it a reflection of the government’s weakness and cowardice. He slammed the government for falsely labeling the PTI founder’s sons as foreigners. He clarified that they are Pakistani nationals holding NICOPs, which grant them every legal and constitutional right to visit Pakistan and see their father.

Waqas alleged that the government, out of fear, was forced to lie about Imran Khan’s sons coming to Pakistan, exposing its insecurity. He revealed that both sons have been issued tracking numbers for their visa applications submitted to the Pakistan High Commission in London. The PTI spokesman explained that while NICOP applications may take weeks to process, visas can be issued within hours. He pointed out that the Interior Ministry has officially stated, “The Ministry of Interior has nothing to do with visa issuance. This matter falls under the ambassador and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.” Yet, the government later claimed that no visa applications had been received. The PTI Central Information Secretariat has formally released details of the NICOP status of Imran Khan’s sons.