Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has alleged that its Punjab chapter chief organiser Aaliya Hamza has been physically attacked by female inmates inside Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail.
According to statements from PTI leadership, a female prisoner, accompanied by roughly 10 other inmates, attacked Hamza over a water dispute in the jail toilet and attempted to strangle her.
PTI leaders said that fellow incarcerated party members Sanam Javed and Falak Javed intervened during the incident to rescue Hamza from the attackers.
Following the reported incident, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja took to X, stating, “Disturbing news of an attempt on Aaliya Hamza’s life has been received from Kot Lakhpat Jail.”
Raja directly held the Punjab government and the jail management accountable for Hamza’s safety during her imprisonment. He demanded an immediate and transparent probe into the assault, the removal of negligent jail authorities, and the filing of formal criminal cases against those responsible.
“A petition, in consultation with Aaliya’s family, will also be filed in court for her medical examination and protection,” Raja added in his statement.
However, Punjab Inspector General Prisons Mian Salik Jalal rejected the allegations of physical violence when contacted regarding the matter.
“The women inmates had only exchanged heated words over fetching water from the jail toilet,” Jalal stated, denying that any physical altercation occurred inside the facility.
Punjab Police arrested Hamza in March while she was visiting family members in Lahore during Eidul Fitr celebrations. Prior to her transfer to Kot Lakhpat Jail, officers took her to Shadman Police Station.
Law enforcement officials claimed at the time that Hamza was absconding and arranging gatherings of PTI lawmakers, ticket holders, and party workers outside Adiala Jail.
Following the arrest in March, Raja condemned the police action, calling the it an act of “fascism” while maintaining that the case against Hamza was fake and the legal sentence unlawful.
