Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi facing continuous solitary confinement, Says Afridi

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has said that former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are being unjustly imprisoned and kept in continuous solitary confinement.

Addressing a meeting of the provincial cabinet, Sohail Afridi said that the couple is not being provided essential winter items in prison. He added that the use of water cannons against Imran Khan’s sisters and their alleged mistreatment was a “shameful act.”

The Chief Minister said the provincial government strongly condemns what he described as inhumane and unfair treatment. He further noted that in the recent NFC meeting, a subcommittee had been formed to pursue provincial rights — a development he termed positive. The subcommittee will be headed by the provincial finance adviser, and recommendations regarding outstanding dues will be submitted to the federal government.

Afridi emphasized that all political and legal avenues would be used to secure the rights of the province. He instructed the Finance Department to send weekly letters to the federal government regarding unpaid NHP and NFC dues.

He added that the federal government had promised Rs 100 billion annually for the merged districts, but in seven years, only Rs 168 billion were released, leaving Rs 532 billion still outstanding. He directed all departments to send weekly reminders to the federal government regarding their pending dues so that everything remains on record.