PTI Founder’s Sons Have Applied for Visa, Could Return Amid Ongoing Harassment: Babar Awan
Islamabad: Senior lawyer Babar Awan has warned that if alleged harassment against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder continues, his sons—who have already applied for visas—will inevitably return to Pakistan.
Speaking to the media outside the Islamabad High Court, Awan said, “The concern regarding the sons is that if communication is allowed, they will come back. I support this concern; if these injustices continue, they will certainly return.”
He noted that the PTI founder’s sons are not active in politics, and according to the law, they should be allowed at least one conversation per week with their father, which has not happened for months.
Awan also criticized two federal ministers who publicly stated that the PTI founder would not be allowed meetings until February 8, calling their statement illegal and unconstitutional. “The authority to regulate or allow meetings in jail lies solely with the court that issued custody and the jail authorities. No one else has this power,” he said, questioning the ministers’ role in restricting access.
The senior lawyer further condemned the government’s approach under Form 47, saying that conditions are being imposed arbitrarily for meetings and even for release. He highlighted a double standard, pointing out that former Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif had frequent meetings inside jail cells under NAB custody, while the PTI founder is being singled out.
Awan added that a global movement titled “Release for Imran Khan” has emerged, and there is no restriction on political dialogue elsewhere. He emphasized that only a few parties in Pakistan engage in democratic politics, while others follow religious, regional, or linguistic agendas. “There are no restrictions on discussing religious, regional, or linguistic issues, yet national-level political voices are being suppressed,” he remarked.
The statement underscores growing concerns over political freedoms and alleged selective treatment of political leaders in custody.
