Attaullah Tarar accuses PTI of violating court orders

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of filing a baseless contempt

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of filing a baseless contempt of court petition, claiming that the party, its founder and his family themselves violated the court’s directives.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Tarar said the administration had fully implemented the court’s orders regarding the visit and medical examination of PTI founder Imran Khan. He questioned the gathering of groups of people outside Shifa Hospital and asked who had arranged their presence there.

The minister alleged that the court had clearly directed that no political statements or media activity would take place. However, he said political activity and media talks were still held outside the hospital. He also claimed that the security arrangements were disrupted during the proceedings.

Tarar said Imran Khan’s medical examination was conducted in the presence of his sister and doctors nominated by his family. He added that the initial medical report showed that the PTI founder was in good health.

The information minister stressed that health-related matters should not be turned into a political issue. He said the government had ensured that the court’s directions were followed and that all necessary arrangements were made according to the judicial order.

Referring to the political debate surrounding the matter, Tarar said that when Imran Khan was prime minister, he had also made derogatory remarks about his political opponents. He added that the government had raised the question in a respectful manner during the review process about whether similar facilities were available to other prisoners.

Tarar maintained that the government had fulfilled all requirements set out by the court and rejected allegations that the administration had failed to comply with the judicial directives.

The minister also commented on statements issued by members of the Pakistan and Punjab Bar Councils. He said some lawyers had expressed their personal opinions rather than an institutional position. He further alleged that a few lawyers were attempting to bring the bar councils into political controversy.