Punjab Information Minister called out imprisoned Founding Chairman PTI for engaging the media by passing the party leadership. This seems the next phase in prolonged war of words between the ruling party and the PTI.
Accusations have surfaced at a time when PTI seems to be gearing up for a fresh protest movement with no clear action plan as yet. “It is well well-rehearsed strategy of PTI to coerce their political opponents as well as state machinery through abuse, allegations, claiming victimhood and outright lies.” said Azma Bukhari while talking to media. Back in 2023, they would call any arrest of their leaders or workers by police as ‘Abduction’. This is a classic example of narrative manipulation.
Despite being champions of accountability before and during their tenure in power, PTI after losing power labels any action by law enforcement agencies as persecution. PTI leaders and supporters have been incessantly speaking lies about IK’s legal cases and his imprisonment. Facts are completely opposite to what PTI wants the world to believe.
All cases have been registered as per law and despite delaying tactics of defence team of former PM. Apparently, enough leeway was granted by trial courts.
Defence has not been able to refute authenticity of the cases, rather they have relied on fine points of procedure coupled with obvious delaying tactics. As per Punjab government; both former PM and his spouse remained direct beneficiaries of misappropriations whether in Toshakhana cases or 190 million pounds case. Hence the trials are justified and law should take its due course. After conviction in all cases, former PM and first lady have availed right of appeal without any hinderance. Resultantly, in number of cases either verdict was overturned or sentence was suspended.
While PTI is complaining about hardships imposed on former PM ; Punjab Information Minister busted the victimhood narrative and said “The man who while in power used to arrogantly announce that he would remove AC from prison cell of his political opponents, is himself enjoying unprecedented facilities in jail. He has been given a complex comprising seven cells with a corridor for walk. He has also got an exercise cycle, TV, newspaper and books to read. All never known to other prisoners who are authorized Class B in jail”.
Connectivity of former PM with international media outlets from prison is very unusual and dents the victimhood claims of PTI to a great extent.
PTI founding chairman Imran Khan seems to largely alive with current affairs and regularly passes directions to party aides dealing with political affairs on his behalf. Very less details are known that how the “X” account handler gets regular directions for routine posts. Government says that 413 X account posts reflect dubious liberty amounting to violation of prision restrictions meant to be imposed on prisoners. Imprisoned former PM has delivered messages to party workers through his X account on all major political developments including General Elections 2024, Bye Elections in Sambrial, PTI protest in Islamabad on 26 November 2024, dialogue with government and enactment of 26th Constitutional Amendment.
Spicy statements of Imran Khan regularly make headlines in print media on important matters like denouncement of budget, comments on India – Pakistan tension and rebuttal of ISPR statements .
Besides headlines and front page coverage , former PM has given interviews to international media as well which remains exceptionally unprecedented for a convict. Numerous interactions with international media including Fox News, WSJ, ITV, Reuters and The Telegraph gives the flip side of victimhood story usually overplayed by the PTI camp. Frequently shuffling of party leadership is not possible without regular communication from Jail. Most of such practices can be taken as unrestricted access of party leaders to thier political maestro. Interestingly, most of these sessions are used for lobbying and cribbing which oozes out regularly from post meeting pressers outside the gate of Adyala jail. Punjab govrnment has claimed that in previous three months 66 persons met former PM including party leaders, family members and lawyers. He contacted his sons through phone calls. It is also claimed by the authorities on the condition of anonymity that few calls could not yield communication due to poor coordination or non- availability issues in UK.
PTI claims about political victimization of Imran Khan lacks substance and based mostly on populist rhetoric; said by Defence Minister. Azma Bukhari opines “These are deliberate attempts to turn legal accountability into political drama to weaken the public trust in the justice system”. Barrage of accusations is intensifying from both camps amid vague calls of protest amplified by KP government.
Ironically , both government and PTI, are trying to prove each other wrong without paying attention to their internal disorders. Questions rightly arise that how did imprisoned Imran Khan manage to communicate every where while the party keeps crying out about enhanced restrictions. So is the case of government , which should inquire the breach of jail security which is evident with the former PM’s interactions disclosed by none other than worthy officials.