[Senior PTI Lawyer and Former Prime Minister Khan Hold Private Prison Meeting to Discuss Constitutional Overhaul and Political Deadlock]
ISLAMABAD: Senior member of former prime minister Imran Khan’s party met the jailed ex-PM in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail on Thursday, discussing a proposed constitutional overhaul and political developments. The four-hour meeting focused on potential reforms to Pakistan’s framework.
The conference occurred after the Islamabad High Court ruled that authorities must allow Khan and his wife to consult with their legal counsel in connection with their corruption-related appeals involving a £190 million case.
Sardar Latif Khosa, a senior leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, stated that along with lawyer Salman Safdar, he met Khan and his wife on Wednesday. The federal government has not released any official statement or publicly commented on the meeting as of Thursday.
The session addressed Khan’s legal matters, evolving political developments, and the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment, which has sparked debate over potential restructuring of Pakistan’s administrative and provincial boundaries.
“We discussed the 28th Amendment during the four-hour session,” Khosa told Arab News. He declined to provide additional details.
Political circles are exploring proposals to divide Pakistan’s four existing provinces into up to twelve administrative units. The federal government has not yet formally submitted the constitutional proposal to parliament.
When inquired about the political dynamics in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khosa responded, “There must be significant discussion regarding KP’s current situation.”
On October 11, President Asif Ali Zardari imposed governor’s rule and an emergency in the northwestern province, effectively sidelining the PTI-led provincial government and transferring executive authority to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi.
The federal government justified the decision by accusing the former PTI-led administration of failing to cooperate with the center in counterterrorism initiatives, amid a rise in militant violence across the region. PTI denounced the action as an assault on its political mandate.
This development has intensified tensions between Khan’s party and the Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government, which have been engaged in a prolonged political standoff since Khan’s removal via a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022.
Both the former prime minister and his wife are experiencing genuine health issues, Khosa explained. The problems are substantial and require urgent court intervention to secure their well-being.
“Bushra Bibi’s ocular condition is severe and critical, making surgical intervention impossible under current circumstances. She requires urgent medical attention from a physician and hospital of her own choosing.”
Khan has been incarcerated since August 2023, facing multiple charges that his party characterizes as politically motivated. The state denies these allegations.
The former prime minister was recently transferred to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for treatment and follow-up care for an eye ailment. The facility reported his health condition remained clinically stable.