The government has stopped all meetings with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan at Adiala jail, with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar calling him an “extremist consumed by war hysteria”.
Tarar made the announcement on Friday during a TV interview, only hours after the military’s spokesperson, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, described the former prime minister as a “mentally ill person” and a danger to national security.
Tarar said all meetings with Khan have been suspended immediately. “There are no meetings; all meetings are banned,” he said, adding that the state would take strict action against anyone trying to gather or disrupt law and order outside the prison.
He claimed that political discussions and instructions were being issued inside the jail despite clear rules prohibiting such activities. “Permission will not be given to advance the enemy’s agenda from inside the jail,” he said.
Imran Khan has been in Adiala jail since August 2023 and faces multiple cases, including corruption, terrorism, and misuse of authority. The government accuses him of damaging Pakistan’s economy, creating unrest, and inciting attacks on military installations on May 9 last year.
Tarar also criticised Khan’s political stance, saying the PTI founder holds a “Taliban-like mindset” and once called Osama bin Laden a martyr. He said even PTI lawmakers now feel trapped by their leader and disagree with his narrative.
The minister added that the federal government is considering imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying PTI members are not standing with Imran Khan’s stance anymore.
On reconciliation, Tarar made it clear that talks with PTI are possible only without the former prime minister. “There will be no dialogue with anyone who promotes chaos, terrorism, or extremist thinking,” he said. He suggested that PTI lawmakers could approach the government through parliament if they distance themselves from Khan and apologise for past statements.
Defence minister says Uzma Khan’s interview to Indian media “final nail in the coffin.”
In a separate TV appearance, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the recent interview of Imran Khan’s sister, Uzma Khan, to Indian media damaged the PTI’s position further. He said the party never condemned anti-Pakistan remarks from its leaders.
Asif contrasted PTI’s behaviour with that of PPP and PML-N, saying that despite serious political setbacks and tragedies, neither party ever appealed to India or crossed red lines against the country. He also alleged that PTI leaders pay extortion to the Taliban and oppose Pakistan’s fight against terrorism.
The government maintains that Imran Khan’s narrative poses a risk to national stability, while the PTI says the leadership is being silenced for political reasons.
