The federal government will maintain its prohibition on meetings with jailed PTI founder Imran Khan until February 8, 2026, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry announced on Monday.

 

According to reports, he confirmed the decision during a television appearance on Monday evening, weeks after authorities first imposed the ban earlier this month.

 

Reports added that officials justified the restrictions by pointing to prison rule violations by Khan's sisters. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar explained that prison regulations prohibit political discussions with inmates, forming the basis for blocking meetings between Khan and his sisters along with other PTI leaders.

 

The former prime minister has spent over two years behind bars since his August 2023 detention. Authorities have charged him in multiple cases spanning corruption to terrorism allegations after his April 2022 removal from office through an opposition no-confidence vote.

 

PTI Senator Barrister Ali Zafar challenged the legality of Khan's detention conditions, asserting that both international and Pakistani law prohibit solitary confinement.

 

Khan's sons recently raised alarms about their father's treatment in custody. During an interview with journalist Mehdi Hasan, Sulaiman and Kasim Khan described prolonged communication blackouts and alleged that authorities have failed to honor court-approved contact permissions.

 

"They [jail authorities] are not even allowing guards to speak to him [Imran Khan] because they want total isolation from any other person just to try and break him," Kasim stated.

 

The federal minister addressed separate political tensions, dismissing speculation about removing PTI-backed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi within six weeks. Dr Chaudhry emphasized that the Centre prefers Afridi to continue his duties.

 

Prime Minister's Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah countered PTI claims of being politically cornered, arguing in a separate television interview that the party refuses to pursue available options.

 

"PTI members do not want to take any path," the PML-N senator said, accusing the party of favoring rebellion and opponent elimination over dialogue.

 

Sanaullah questioned delays in May 9 case verdicts, asking, "If the decision on the May 9 cases will not be made even in 2025, then when will it be?"

 

His comments followed a special court's decision to sentence Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years each in the Toshakhana-2 case.

 

"A group [PTI] is bent upon spreading chaos, anarchy and sedition," Sanaullah warned, promising legal consequences for lawbreaking.

 

Addressing PTI's planned Islamabad march, the PM's aide questioned the wisdom of such action, asking, "Is the conquest of Islamabad in the interest of the country and the nation?"

 

He firmly stated that authorities will not permit any group to occupy the capital.