Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. Photo: Reuters/file
ISLAMABAD:
The PTI on Friday urged the federal government to facilitate a meeting with the party’s founder, triggering debate and protests from opposition lawmakers in the Senate over the issue.
During the session chaired by Sherry Rehman, lawmakers raised the issue of excessive and unsupervised use of social media applications by children in Pakistan. The President suggested the formation of a committee to examine the matter.
At the start of the session, the House observed a minute’s silence for the victims of the gas leak explosion in Islamabad. Also during the session, newly elected PML-N Senator Abid Sher Ali took oath.
PTI senator Ali Zafar raised the issue of denial of jail meetings with Imran, saying he represented the party’s founder and questioning why a meeting was not allowed by the government.
“The court is not involved; this is a decision by the prison authorities, who operate under the authority of the government. This is a political vendetta,” he said. PTI Senator Falak Naz Chitrali added that the PTI founder is being held in solitary confinement. PTI members staged a protest over the issue.
Federal Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar responded that the prison director had the power to authorize visits based on the behavior of the prisoner. He added that Adiala jail comes under the Punjab government and hence the federal government cannot issue directions in this regard.
The law minister categorically rejected the claim that the PTI founder was in solitary confinement. He said Imran is in good health, receives meals of his choice and has access to all necessary facilities.
Separately, an opinion was submitted to the House, highlighting the excessive and unmonitored use of social media applications by children. Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry described the issue as “extremely important” and said it deserved to be discussed at the national level.
The presiding officer said the matter involved several ministries and hence it could not be referred only to the house IT committee. She suggested the formation of a special committee, with input from the Justice Department, to look into the issue due to its sensitive nature.
