PTI Welcomes IHC Ruling against Solitary Confinement of Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi

Waqas says court directives must be implemented in letter and spirit, demands release of party leaders and workers, condemns Pishin attack and criticises governments over poor rainwater management in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary (CIS) Sheikh Waqas Akram on Tuesday welcomed the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) ruling directing authorities not to keep PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in solitary confinement, describing the decision as a significant step toward safeguarding their constitutional, legal and fundamental rights.

PTI CIS, in a statement issued by PTI Central Media Department (CMD), lauded the court’s clear direction that neither Imran Khan nor Bushra Bibi should be kept in solitary confinement and appreciated the order directing the Adiala Jail authorities to facilitate a meeting between them in accordance with prison rules.

He also welcomed the court’s directions regarding meetings between Imran Khan and his family members, arrangements for telephone calls between him and his sons, provision of newspapers and books, and access to medical facilities in accordance with applicable prison rules.

However, Waqas said that Imran Khan’s sisters were once again denied their court-ordered scheduled meeting. PTI CIS said these directions were not merely administrative instructions but judicial orders that must be implemented in letter and spirit. He urged the IHC to closely monitor implementation of its judgment and take strict action against any official found responsible for deliberately violating, obstructing or delaying the court’s directions. He particularly welcomed the requirement for the Adiala Jail superintendent to submit an implementation report within 15 days, saying that such monitoring was essential to ensure compliance.

“The strength of the rule of law is demonstrated not merely by the issuance of judgments but by their implementation. We expect the authorities to respect the honour of the court, comply with every direction in full and ensure that no one is permitted to frustrate the implementation of judicial orders,” Waqas added.

He also demanded the immediate release of Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Ijaz Chaudhry, Sarfraz Cheema, Mian Mahmood-ur-Rashid and other PTI leaders and workers who, he said, were unjustly and unlawfully subjected to imprisonment.

PTI Condemns Pishin Terror Attack

Meanwhile, PTI CIS expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of five security personnel in the terrorist attack on a police post and Customs warehouse at Ziarat Cross in Pishin.

Waqas strongly condemned the attack and considered the targeting of sensitive government installations a serious security failure. “The government must move beyond routine condemnation and take effective measures to strengthen intelligence, protect security personnel and prevent such attacks in the future,” he demanded.

“PTI extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyred personnel and prays for the speedy recovery of those injured,” Waqas added.

PTI Slams Governments Over Poor Rainwater Management

Talking about the heavy downpours battered Islamabad and Rawalpindi, PTI CIS strongly criticised the federal and Punjab governments for their failure to effectively manage the heavy rainfall, saying the situation has exposed the weaknesses of the administrations despite years of spending on grand infrastructure and beautification projects.

Waqas said that the scenes witnessed across the twin cities, with rainwater entering homes, shops and commercial establishments, roads inundated, traffic disrupted and citizens facing serious difficulties, raise fundamental questions about the priorities and preparedness of both the federal and Punjab governments.

He said that if the administrations cannot effectively cope with one spell of heavy rain in the country's capital and a major city like Rawalpindi, the public has every right to ask what will happen in other parts of Punjab when similarly intense rainfall occurs.

He said governments cannot continue to present flyovers, cosmetic beautification schemes and highly publicised development projects as evidence of progress while basic civic infrastructure, particularly drainage and storm-water management systems, remains inadequate. “A city does not become modern simply by building flyovers and decorating roads; a government proves its performance by protecting its people when nature tests its preparedness,” he said.

Waqas urged the federal and Punjab governments to immediately facilitate affected citizens and traders. “People whose homes, shops, vehicles, businesses and belongings have been damaged by floodwater should not be left alone to bear the financial burden,” he demanded.

Waqas urged that the governments must move beyond cosmetic development, repair and modernise drainage systems, strengthen local administrations and emergency services, compensate affected citizens and make public safety and welfare the centre of their governance priorities.