Women party workers and supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have come forward to refute allegations of mistreatment or sexual assault during their time in jail.
These claims arise after PTI leader Imran Khan alleged that his party’s female workers were being subjected to “harassment” while in custody, urging Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial to intervene and take notice of the matter.
The female workers were arrested in connection with the May 9 riots that occurred across the country following the arrest of the former prime minister. Many PTI workers and supporters, including women, have been arrested in connection with the May 9 violence. However, they have rejected any claims of mistreatment while in jail.
During their court appearance, the women workers confirmed that they were not being mistreated in jail. Nevertheless, they expressed their views that being held in jail was “unfair” since they had not committed any wrongdoing and should not have been incarcerated.
One of the women stated, “The biggest humiliation was that women were picked up at night from their homes. Women should not be subjected to such cases.”
On May 30, a two-member government committee dismissed the PTI’s allegations regarding the mistreatment and sexual assault of women in Punjab prisons.
Speaking to journalists outside Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore, SSP Investigations Lahore Anoosh Masood and Deputy Commissioner Lahore Rafia Haider “strongly” rejected the claims made by Imran Khan’s party.
Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi had formed the committee to investigate PTI’s allegations of mistreatment of its female supporters in prisons. He had initially stated that women were being dealt with according to the law, but formed the committee to address the issue.
Previously, CM Naqvi had accused PTI of propagating misinformation regarding the mistreatment of women in prisons. He disclosed that 32 women were arrested, and currently, only 11 remain in jail. The chief minister emphasized that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure the safety of “mothers and sisters.”
