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Imran Khan slams army chief over jail conditions, says terrorists are treated better

“In recent days, the harsh treatment I face in jail has intensified. The same applies to my wife, Bushra Bibi. Even the television in her cell has been switched off. All basic rights — both human and those legally granted to prisoners — have been suspended for both of us,” Khan wrote on X.

Imran Khan reflected on the ‘political turmoil' in Pakistan and his ongoing fight for democracy. (File Photo)

Jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday issued a stark warning from behind bars, claiming that if anything were to happen to him in custody, Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir must be held responsible.

The 72-year-old Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief, imprisoned since August 2023 in connection with multiple cases, said his condition in jail has worsened in recent weeks — as has that of his wife, Bushra Bibi. “In recent days, the harsh treatment I face in jail has intensified. The same applies to my wife, Bushra Bibi. Even the television in her cell has been switched off. All basic rights — both human and those legally granted to prisoners — have been suspended for both of us,” Khan wrote on X.

The PTI, meanwhile, is preparing to launch a nationwide agitation from August 5 to press the Shehbaz Sharif government and the military establishment to release Khan.

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“There must be accountability for this,” Khan said, alleging that the mistreatment is being carried out by jail authorities on the orders of Asim Munir. “Therefore, I give clear instructions to my party — if anything happens to me in jail, Asim Munir must be held accountable.”

Despite the dire circumstances, Khan said he is ready to spend his life behind bars, but vowed not to “bow before tyranny and oppression.” Calling for civil resistance, he declared: “My message to the people of Pakistan is the same — never submit to this oppressive system under any circumstances… the time for negotiations has passed. Now is the time for nationwide protest.”

Khan also drew a stark comparison to other prisoners, saying, “Even convicted murderers and terrorists are kept in better conditions than me.” He accused the authorities of treating him with “relentless abuse,” while claiming that a military official jailed in a similar timeframe is “enjoying VIP treatment.”

He also repeated an earlier claim about why his wife is allegedly being mistreated. According to Khan, the Army Chief harbours a personal grudge dating back to Khan’s term as prime minister. “When Asim Munir was removed from his post of ISI chief, he attempted to send a message to Bushra Bibi through Zulfi Bukhari, requesting a meeting. She firmly refused. Since then, Asim Munir has had a personal grudge and is now inflicting this cruelty to emotionally break me,” he alleged.

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Khan also lashed out at Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, saying they have fostered a “climate of tyranny and fascism” in Punjab for the past two years.

Calling on party workers and leaders to stand united and escalate their agitation, Khan said: “I also direct all party members and officials to personally retweet my Twitter messages and help amplify my voice to as many people as possible.”

(With inputs from PTI)

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