The Punjab government has officially announced an extension of the ban on meetings with Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who is currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail. This ban, which was originally set to be lifted on October 18, will now remain in effect until October 20 due to ongoing security concerns.
Sources indicate that this restriction affects not only Imran Khan but also applies to both political and ordinary prisoners within the facility. Officials have expressed that the ban might be extended further if the security situation does not improve, highlighting the serious nature of the threats that have been identified.
The extension of the ban has had significant implications for the planned activities of a five-member PTI delegation, which was scheduled to meet with Khan at 8 a.m. to discuss a draft of proposed constitutional amendments. This delegation is comprised of prominent PTI figures, including Barrister Ali Zafar, Asad Qaisar, Hamid Khan, Salman Akram Raja, and Barrister Gohar. The leaders have emphasized the necessity of consulting with Khan regarding the amendments before moving forward.
Barrister Ali Zafar specifically pointed out that the guidance of Imran Khan is crucial for the party’s direction on constitutional issues, stating, “We will meet with the founder in the morning and follow his directives related to the constitutional amendments.” Despite the uncertainty caused by the ban, the PTI delegation remains hopeful that they will be able to conduct their visit once the security concerns are adequately addressed, demonstrating their commitment to engaging with their leader during these challenging times.
