Pakistan’s opposition party forms panel to control access to Imran Khan in jail amid rifts

Internal tensions are mounting within Pakistan’s main opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), as disputes deepen over access to its jailed founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

A meeting of PTI’s political committee was held in Islamabad on Sunday to address the controversy surrounding jail visits with Khan. In a statement, PTI Secretary of Information Waqas Akram Sheikh said the committee discussed various important issues, including the country’s overall political situation.

The committee unanimously decided to form a five-member team responsible for compiling a list of individuals who would meet Khan every Tuesday and Thursday. Whenever possible, the list would be approved by Khan in advance.

It was agreed that the list would be submitted to jail authorities through one of three focal persons nominated by Khan: Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Salman Akram Raja, and Intizar Panjutha. This procedure follows an order from the Islamabad High Court.

The announcement clarified that only those on the approved list would be allowed to meet Khan. Any unauthorized meetings would be considered a violation of party discipline and established rules.

If any person on the approved list is denied access by the administration, the remaining individuals may proceed with the meeting under protest. In such cases, a contempt of court petition would be filed immediately against the jail authorities.

The announcement further stated that officials from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government would be exempt from these restrictions. They are allowed to meet Khan at any time without being subject to the five-member committee’s list.

Party divisions intensified over the matter, particularly after Senator Ali Zafar expressed regret over allegations made by Salman Akram Raja.

Speaking to media outside the Islamabad High Court, PTI Senator Barrister Ali Zafar said Raja’s comments about the meeting created further controversy.

Raja told journalists at the court that the full bench’s decision had been violated. He said it had been agreed that he would submit six names of lawyers to meet Khan, but none were allowed entry. Only previously approved individuals were permitted to meet Khan.

The PTI secretary general stated that Khan did not invite anyone to meet him the previous day, had spoken with his family, and was in good health. He stressed that anyone not on the approved list should not attempt to meet Khan in the future.

PTI workers protested near the jail after Khan was denied a meeting with his family and party leaders. They pelted stones, and several PTI members, including Alia Hamza and Sahibzada Hamid Raza, were briefly detained. After their release, they staged a sit-in.

PTI sources, however, claim that unauthorized individuals—some unknown to Khan—have been granted access, while family members and lawyers are being blocked from meeting him.

Access denied

Senior PTI leaders, lawyers, and even Imran Khan’s family members have repeatedly been denied access to the jailed former prime minister at Adiala Jail, despite clear court orders permitting visits. On April 1 and again on April 11, authorized individuals including Omar Ayub, Salman Akram Raja, and Khan’s sisters were blocked from meeting him.Jail officials have cited vague procedural reasons or accused visitors of violating media protocols, while PTI accuses authorities of contempt of court and political bias. In contrast, some lesser-known or unauthorized individuals have reportedly been allowed in, fueling internal party disputes and allegations of selective enforcement.

Meanwhile, authorities at Central Jail Adiala in Rawalpindi said allegations about restrictions on Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were false and politically motivated.