'Family Prepared To Embrace Shahadat': Imran Khan's Sister Aleema Khan Speaks With News18
She attributes the situation to Pakistan army chief Syed Asim Munir and criticises the alleged suppression of Imran's voice, urging for his rights to be respected
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is only being allowed restricted access and communication, raising concerns about his treatment during detention. Despite his status as a former premier, Imran is allegedly not afforded the rights typically granted to political prisoners.
Family members, including his sister Aleema Khan, have voiced alarm over their inability to meet him. Aleema revealed she had been denied visitation rights for two weeks, raising concerns about Imran’s isolation.
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Imran Khan’s legal team has also faced obstacles, reportedly unable to see him for over 24 hours and barred from communicating with the public on his behalf. Aleema Khan suggests this situation has garnered international attention, with concerns mounting over the legality of his detention.
She attributes the situation to army chief Syed Asim Munir and criticises the alleged suppression of Imran’s voice, urging for his rights to be respected.
The situation is particularly poignant as it prevents a family reunion for Eid. Adding to the concerns, a judge perceived as favourable to Imran was transferred overnight to the Islamabad High Court as Chief Justice.
In an interview with CNN-News18, Aleema Khan highlighted the family’s inability to hold their weekly meeting due to a recent constitutional amendment. She argues this amendment grants control over the transfer and posting of judges, a power not previously held, thereby compromising the autonomy of the judiciary.
She asserts that the convictions and trials in Imran Khan’s cases are flawed and deliberately prolonged. Furthermore, she alleges that while the family is permitted to speak to the press, they are prohibited from meeting with Imran. Conversely, while political figures are allowed to meet with him, they are barred from speaking to the press afterwards.
Aleema Khan also condemned the alleged abductions and arrests of journalists in Pakistan, highlighting it as a disturbing trend.
The family is now prepared to embrace “shahadat", planning a fight to the finish. The younger generation in Pakistan doesn’t feel empowered and connected with the establishment anymore, they say. A classic example is younger Baloch leaders, they point out. But a time will soon come when the younger people in Pakistan will rise up and bring about change, the family says.
According to Imran’s family, the Pakistan army is making a big mistake by ignoring the sentiments of its younger citizens, like the Baloch people.
Imran’s wife Bushra Bibi has also been jailed, and lawyers are asking for the quashing of the charges against her, which are weaker. Imran Khan’s family also appears to be solidly with Bushra Bibi, denying rumours that she is estranged from her husband and is now a tool in the establishment’s hands.
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