ISLAMABAD: On Wednesday, the sisters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan voiced sharp criticism against the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), accusing them of remaining completely silent and inactive regarding the multiple legal cases their brother faces. They expressed deep frustration over the absence of any substantial political or legal efforts from the party’s top figures to secure Imran Khan’s release from incarceration.
Speaking to the media outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Aleema Khan, accompanied by her sisters Uzma Khan and Noureen Khanum, questioned the whereabouts and roles of key PTI legal representatives such as Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Latif Khosa, and Barrister Ali Zafar. She demanded to know why these prominent lawyers had not been actively pursuing the cases that involve the PTI founder, highlighting a worrying lack of engagement from the party’s legal team.
The sisters had come to the IHC to seek updates on the ongoing cases against Imran Khan, who has been behind bars since August 2023. The former cricket star turned politician, now 73 years old, was convicted in several cases which he and his supporters claim are politically motivated reprisals following his removal from office through a parliamentary vote in 2022. The legal battles have become a focal point of national attention, with his health condition adding further complexity to the situation.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also appeared at the high court, attempting to meet Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar, underscoring the high-profile nature of the proceedings. Recently, Imran Khan was transferred to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, where he received a second dose of an anti-VEGF intravitreal injection to treat a diagnosed eye condition. This medical update was officially confirmed by the hospital, and it has intensified the ongoing debate between the government and opposition groups, including PTI and the TTAP alliance, over the former prime minister’s treatment and wellbeing.
Addressing reporters, Aleema Khan emphasized that her brother remains the central figure not only within the party but also in the broader political landscape of Pakistan. She asserted, “He is our brother, and the entire political discourse revolves around him. We will continue to speak out for him regardless of the actions taken by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.” Her statement reflected the family’s determination to keep advocating for Imran Khan despite the apparent lack of support from some party leaders.
Uzma Khan added that the family often finds itself in the dark about the developments in Imran Khan’s legal matters, lamenting the party leadership’s absence and silence. “There is a complete void where the party leadership should be,” she said, underscoring the disconnect between the family and PTI’s decision-makers during this critical period.
Aleema further criticized the PTI lawyers who have now become members of parliament, pointing out that they openly acknowledge that the votes belong to Imran Khan himself. She recalled her brother’s past remarks about PTI being an ideological party and questioned how a single statement against the interior minister could cause such division within the ranks. She suggested that if only a few individuals had voiced concerns, it would not have damaged the party’s unity.
Turning to the remarks made by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Aleema questioned why the party had not issued any response to his accusations, in which he blamed the sisters for the current predicament. She revealed that Imran Khan had repeatedly instructed party lawyers to file legal petitions, yet neither the party chairman nor the legal team had succeeded in registering cases or making their presence felt in court. This, she said, was a glaring failure on the part of PTI’s leadership.
She accused party leaders of making decisions independently, without consulting the family, and despite professing to care about Imran Khan’s wellbeing, they maintained communication with the interior minister while keeping the family uninformed. Aleema described this lack of transparency as shameful and insisted that better communication with the family could have improved the situation significantly.
Moreover, Aleema expressed disappointment in Barrister Gohar’s performance as party chairman, noting that even after assuming the role, he had failed to secure hearings or progress in the Supreme Court and high courts. She also alleged that the identities of internal “traitors” within the party were well known to the family and the public alike, implying that these individuals were undermining PTI from within.
Highlighting concerns about medical treatment, Aleema claimed that government doctors were under pressure and stressed the importance of allowing the family’s own medical professionals to be present during Imran Khan’s care. She demanded immediate action from the party, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Finally, Aleema revealed that they had learned from Interior Minister Naqvi that Barrister Gohar planned to visit the jail, questioning whether the family should expect to receive updates about their brother from the interior minister or from their own party representatives. She insisted that no decisions regarding Imran Khan’s health should be made without consulting the family first, and called on the PTI leadership to clarify their position and explain their continued silence on these critical matters.
