• Meeting between Barrister Salman and PTI founder lasts 45 minutes in presence of Bushra Bibi
• Party’s political committee to reconvene within two days to devise strategy for ex-premier’s release

ISLAMABAD: After a gap of seven months, PTI lawyer Barrister Salman Safdar managed to meet incarcerated former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan for less than an hour and discussed the ongoing cases.

The lawyer, last time, had met Imran Khan as the Supreme Court designated him as amicus. However, this time he met the PTI founder as his lawyer in the presence of his wife Bushra Bibi.

Speaking to Dawn, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram quoted the lawyer as saying that the meeting was held in connection with several applications filed in courts to arrange meetings with Imran Khan.

“Salman told me he reached Adiala jail at around 4:30pm and the meeting continued for around 40 to 45 minutes. However, he said it was not sufficient time for the meetings as there were so many cases which had to be discussed and as the meeting was being held after such a long time,” he said.

Replying to a question, Mr Akram said no political issues were discussed as the lawyer shared details of the court proceedings and asked Imran Khan about the future strategy to deal with the cases.

Asked about the ex-premier’s health condition, the information secretary said issues related to his health were also discussed during the meeting but the party’s focus was limited to the cases.

Political committee meeting

Earlier, the PTI’s political committee agreed to convene another meeting within the next two days with a single-point agenda of devising a way forward for securing the release of the ex-premier, after failing to reach consensus on any decision amid heated arguments between members.

The participants in the party’s most important decision-making forum spent considerable time trying to assign responsibility to one another for issuing an explanation notice to outspoken Senator Mashal Yousafzai as none of them agreed to take on the task.

According to one of the attendees, Salman Akram Raja used rather harsh language during the session, alleging that a group was trying to give undue importance to the parliamentary party. He reportedly said he knew their worth [auqat]. “However, Noor-ul-Haq Qadri suggested that he should use softer language towards them. Some members, including Malik Aamir Dogar, confronted PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and expressed dissatisfaction with his performance,” the leader disclosed.

He said the proposed explanation notice to Mashal Yousafzai was also discussed, with Deputy Secretary General Firdous Shamim Naqvi saying that he would not issue it. “It was initially suggested that Sheikh Waqas Akram should issue the notice, but he [Mr Akram] refused, saying he was the party’s spokesperson and could only issue statements. It was also suggested that Deputy Secretary General Taimur Jhagra should issue the notice, but members questioned why the PTI chairman [Gohar] or the secretary general [Salman Raja] were not issuing it,” he said.

Detention, raids slammed

According to a statement issued by the PTI central information secretary, the political committee termed the detention of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, the provincial assembly speaker and other parliamentarians “illegal”. It said keeping elected representatives in custody was contrary to democratic values and disregarded the public mandate they had received. Mr Akram said the committee condemned alleged raids and damage to the homes of former federal minister Omar Ayub Khan, Sher Ali Arbab, Shah Ahmad and other party leaders. It also expressed concern over raids on workers’ homes and their alleged harassment.

The committee also expressed concern over reports that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi might be transferred to hospital. It called for the Supreme Court’s orders regarding his medical treatment to be implemented, his family to be kept informed about his health and family members to be allowed to meet him.

It also expressed concern over the arrests of PTI leaders and workers, including MNA Adil Bazai and those detained under the Maintenance of Public Order law. The committee demanded their release, saying political differences should not be used to victimise people. It noted that some party leaders had been re-arrested after securing release through court orders, raising questions about the respect for judicial decisions.

Security, rising prices

On the security situation, the committee expressed concern over the increase in incidents of terrorism, describing it as a major challenge for the country that required serious and effective action.

It said protecting the lives and property of citizens was the state’s responsibility, but counterterrorism measures should not be used as a means of political victimisation.

The committee also expressed concern over LPG prices, claiming that the commodity was being purchased at Rs238 per kilogram but sold for as much as Rs700. It called for an investigation into the price difference and action against those making excessive profits.It further called for relief in electricity and petroleum prices and measures to reduce the cost of essential commodities.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2026