Aleema Khan looks to mend fences, denies seeking party position

ISLAMABAD: Aleema Khan, sister of incarcerated ex-premier Imran Khan, on Tuesday appea­red to move to ease tensions with PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, explaining that she holds no position in the party, rather is making efforts to secure Imran’s release from jail.

Aleema had earlier criticised the PTI leadership, including the secretary general, over their failure to secure Imran’s release. In response, Raja announced he would send his resignation to him, claiming that Imran himself had told him that his sister did not understand politics.

Speaking to the media outside Adiala jail, Ale­e­ma said she did not seek any party position and was solely focused on her bro­ther’s release. In the same interaction, while resp­on­d­ing to a question, she said she might be eligible for a party role, but she was not concentrating on it.

Asked about the impression that the PTI was attempting to sabotage US-Iran dialogue through protests and public meetings, Aleema said local politics had nothing to do with such negotiations.

“In the UK, a parliamentarian who is a former ambassador to the US is being criticised by both ruling and opposition parties. We should prioritise our own country. When people are imprisoned unlawfully and the country lacks a justice system, what moral standing do you have? Who will trust you when you speak lies to your own people while trying to resolve conflicts between neighbouring countries?” she asked.

She said her brother was jailed and party votes were stolen. “These leaders cannot raise their voice for Palestinians or for the girls killed in a school in Iran. Former US army officers have been protesting against the killing of girls and the war, but you remain silent” she said.

Trump had been continuously changing his stance, making him unreliable, she said, adding that Trump wants to open the Strait of Hormuz, which was already open before the war.

IMF conditions, Amnesty report

Separately, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram denounced the treatment of prisoners, including Imran and his wife, as well as the denial of scheduled meetings with them, describing it as a blatant disregard for their rights. He said Amnesty International findings reinforced PTI’s stance.

He also criticised the IMF policies, which he said compromise the country’s sovereignty.

He demanded that the government immediately allow lawyers, family members and political leaders access to the former prime minister and his spouse, in accordance with court orders. He also urged the judiciary to penalise those defying court directives.

Reacting to the Amnesty International report, Waqas said that the government was engaged in international mediation efforts, but its internal human rights record continued to damage the country’s reputation and deprive citizens of fundamental rights.

“The latest findings by Amnesty International reinforce what PTI has consistently highlighted: a systematic crackdown on civil liberties, political opposition and independent voices. From the weaponisation of cybercrime and anti-terror laws to censorship, arbitrary internet shutdowns and coercion of media through economic pressure, the regime is tightening its grip by silencing dissent,” he added.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2026