ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Aleema Khan on Tuesday dismissed reports claiming she was preventing party leaders from meeting Imran Khan, saying she herself has been unable to see her brother.
Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail, she questioned how she could block others when she has not been granted access either. She added that there is growing demand across Pakistan and internationally for Imran Khan’s release, expressing hope that changing global dynamics may lead to his freedom.
Aleema said she was waiting to learn whether authorities would allow a meeting but doubted permission would be granted. She alleged that officials were trying to conceal his health condition and reiterated the family’s request for his medical treatment at Shifa International Hospital. She maintained that meetings were not the priority if he received proper medical care.
She also noted that the request had been forwarded by the chief justice to the chief commissioner, who reports to Mohsin Naqvi.
Responding to a question about cross-border attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Aleema expressed grief over the loss of lives but said such matters should be addressed by the provincial government, while urging unity among Muslims.
PTI Leaders Warn of Economic Risks
Separately, several jailed leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf issued an open letter warning that Pakistan’s fragile economic stability could unravel within weeks if tensions in the Gulf persist.
The letter, shared through their counsel, was signed by senior leaders including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry, Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, and Omar Sarfraz Cheema.
Writing from Kot Lakhpat Jail, they cautioned that recent economic gains could quickly fade due to ongoing regional instability, lack of structural reforms, and policy disagreements. They warned that these challenges could also hinder progress in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.
The leaders highlighted rising costs of fuel, gas, and fertilisers, warning that these increases would severely impact farmers, reduce agricultural productivity, and weaken rural purchasing power. They also pointed to declining cotton output, increased reliance on costly imports, and a widening gap between food imports and exports.
Emphasising the importance of remittances, they noted that a significant portion comes from Pakistanis working in Gulf countries. Prolonged instability in the region, they warned, could reduce job opportunities abroad and affect inflows that are crucial for the country’s economy.
The letter also raised concerns about rising inflation, declining business confidence, and reduced investment prospects. The leaders stressed that economic recovery depends on political stability and urged the government to improve governance, strengthen law and order, and reassess spending priorities.
They concluded by calling for national interests to take precedence over political differences, warning that without urgent action, economic and political challenges could deepen further.