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Imran Khan says he's facing ‘harshest prison term' in Pakistan's history
Pakistan's incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan on Thursday said he is undergoing the 'harshest prison term' in the country's history. read more Pakistan's currently incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan has described his imprisonment as the most severe ever faced by any political leader in the country. The 72-year-old has been held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since August 2023 in connection with several cases. 'I am enduring the harshest prison term in the country's history solely for the supremacy of the Constitution and in service of my nation,' he was quoted as saying in a post uploaded on his verified X handle. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The level of oppression and authoritarianism is such that even the water I have for ablution is filthy and contaminated with dirt, unfit for any human being,' Khan alleged. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf: founder alleged the books sent to him by his family have been withheld for months and access to television and newspapers has also been suspended. 'I have spent countless hours re-reading the same old books, but now even those are no longer available,' he said. Khan asserted that no political leader in Pakistan's history has faced the kind of treatment he is currently experiencing. He contrasted this with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who, despite being involved in several corruption cases, 'was granted every possible comfort' during his imprisonment. Khan emphasised that his wife, Bushra Bibi, who is 'innocent' and not involved in politics, is being subjected to 'inhumane conditions' in prison. The 72-year-old cricketer-turned-politician further alleged that all his basic human rights have been violated. Even the minimum facilities accorded to ordinary prisoners under the law and the jail manual are denied to him. 'Despite repeated requests, I have not been allowed to speak to my children. Political meetings have also been restricted; I am only permitted to meet certain 'choice individuals', while all other interactions are barred,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Khan appealed to his party members to set aside all internal differences and focus solely on the movement planned for August 5. The PTI is all set to launch the 'Free Imran Khan Movement' from August 5 across the country. Khan's sons –Suleman and Kasim — are currently in the US, meeting with the Trump administration and Congressmen as part of efforts to release Khan who has been in jail for the last two years in multiple cases. 'I am waging a battle against a 78-year-old system, and my greatest success is that despite unprecedented oppression, the public stands firmly with me,' Khan said. He said on February 8, 2024, the people expressed their trust in PTI by voting for it even in the absence of an electoral symbol. 'After such a clear mandate, it is the moral and political responsibility of every party member to become the voice of the people. It will be nothing short of disgraceful and condemnable if PTI leaders waste time on internal conflicts at this critical juncture. Anyone found engaging in factionalism within the party will be expelled,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Khan said the Shehbaz Sharif-led government has crippled the judiciary and 'the way biased judges are now delivering blatantly unjust verdicts' is visible to the entire nation. 'We must launch a robust campaign to liberate the judiciary, for no nation can survive, let alone progress, without judicial independence,' he said. With inputs from agencies
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Gehlot likens Rahul Gandhi to Jyotiba Phule
Jaipur: Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot , speaking at the Congress's OBC wing conference here on Saturday, highlighted Rahul Gandhi 's commitment to fighting for OBC rights, comparing him to social reformer Jyotiba Phule. Gehlot said he sees Gandhi as a reformer and saint. Gehlot suggested that many OBC community members were unaware of Gandhi's efforts on their behalf. Challenging Prime Minister Modi's mandate, Gehlot pointed out that 69% of the voters had not supported the current govt. He praised Gandhi's compassionate nature and inclusive vision, predicting that the Congressman might "become a saint" due to his empathy for the poor. The former CM emphasised that India's global leadership aspirations could only be realised through unity across castes and religions, aligning with Gandhi's vision for the nation. Addressing the recent announcement of a caste census, Gehlot credited Gandhi's social justice campaign for forcing the Union govt's hand. However, he expressed scepticism about BJP's commitment, suggesting the announcement might be politically motivated due to upcoming Bihar elections. In a notable statement about religious politics, Gehlot rejected BJP's claimed monopoly over Lord Ram. "Our Ram is 'Maryada Purushottam' Ram," he declared, citing Congressmen with "Ram" in their names while accusing BJP of misusing religion for political gains.
News18
17-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Stop Speaking': HK Patil's Message To Congress Colleagues Amid Fresh 'Shivakumar For CM' Pitch
Karnataka's law and parliamentary affairs minister said the Congress, president Mallikarjun Kharge, and top leadership have already issued a directive to stay silent on the matter The Congress high command may have made it clear that there will be no leadership change in Karnataka but voices from within the party continue to push for deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar to be elevated to the chief minister's post. Speaking exclusively to News18, Karnataka's law and parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil minced no words as he discussed the row. 'Those who are speculating about change of chief minister and making such comments should have immediately stopped speaking," he said, stressing that the Congress, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, and the top leadership have already issued a directive to stay silent on the matter. 'The AICC president and the Congress high command have given us a clear signal not to speak about the post of CM or the KPCC chief. In that context, I don't want to react to your question," Patil said, making it clear that he would not entertain further speculation. 'Let me make my stand very clear — in view of the directive from the high command, I will not respond on either the CM post or the KPCC chief issue," he said. Asked about those within the party still calling it 'voices of protest", Patil remained firm. 'I do not want to react. Those who are disciplined Congressmen must follow the high command's directive. If someone isn't doing so, it is for him to analyse." This comes in the background of senior Congress leaders Tanveer Sait and Channapatna MLA CP Yogeshwar backing Shivakumar for the top post. Sait said leadership cannot be stagnant and should evolve when opportunity arises. 'New leadership has to come and grow. Individual statements shouldn't be treated as protest," he said. Despite the top brass's denial of a leadership shift—reiterated recently by AICC general secretary Randeep Surjewala—the public push from Shivakumar loyalists has not died down, revealing cracks in the party's internal discipline. Earlier, another Congress MLA, HA Iqbal Hussain, had stirred the pot by saying Shivakumar could be made CM in 'two to three months". 'Everyone knows who put in the effort to bring the Congress back to power. His strategy and programmes are history now," Hussain had said. A letter of warning followed from KPCC chief Shivakumar himself, calling his remarks 'causing embarrassment to the party" and warning of disciplinary action. Meanwhile, Patil is also in the spotlight on another major issue—illegal mining. He now heads a cabinet subcommittee formed to look into cases of illegal mining between 2007 and 2011, a period that includes the tenure of the BJP under BS Yediyurappa and the alliance of the BJP-JDS under then chief minister HD Kumaraswamy. The panel's formation came after Patil, in a letter to CM Siddaramaiah dated June 18, expressed concern that only 7.6 per cent of illegal mining cases had been investigated, and only 2 per cent had seen closure, amounting to a mere 0.2 per cent ending in conviction. Patil said, 'We had our first meeting and expect to take it forward in the next one. We were shocked by the delay in investigations into these matters. We were surprised and are now planning how to proceed with the issue. The callous attitude of the system is detrimental to the interests of the state. It is a systemic lapse and an organised crime. That is what we are tackling now. The committee is taking a serious view of the steps the government should take." The subcommittee, formed at a special cabinet meeting in Nandi Hills, Chikkaballapur district, has proposed setting up a special court to handle illegal mining cases. 'Recovery is also a key focus, along with a detailed investigation," Patil said. In his letter to Siddaramaiah, Patil had claimed that politicians and bureaucrats between 2007 and 2011 'systematically looted the state's wealth", estimating a loss of Rs 1.5 lakh crore to the exchequer. He demanded investigations into the remaining 92.4 per cent of the cases, punishment for the accused, and recovery of losses. According to him, nearly 12,000 cases of illegal mining have been registered in the state, but less than two per cent have reached the trial stage. He raised serious concerns about the role of investigative agencies. 'Nine cases had been handed over to the CBI, but the agency returned six, taking up only three. Even the SIT has not completed investigations in many cases." This is not the first time that Patil has chaired a panel to look into illegal mining in the state. When the Siddaramaiah government came to power in 2013, it constituted a cabinet sub-committee chaired by him to look into the illegal mining scam. The panel went beyond the findings of the Lokayukta report on illegal mining under Justice Santosh Hegde. It was on the basis of former Lokayukta Hegde's report that the then chief minister Yediyurappa and tourism minister and mining baron G Janardhana Reddy resigned. The alleged Ballari mining scam cost the state an estimated Rs 16,085 crore. Hegde's 466-page report, detailing rampant illegal mining of iron ore in Karnataka, was submitted to Governor HR Bhardwaj and Chief Secretary SV Ranganath on July 27, 2011. Patil's panel report in the previous regime pegged the compounded loss to Karnataka at Rs 1.43 lakh crore through illegal mining—a figure far higher than the Rs 12,228 crore estimated in the original Lokayukta report. However, the Congress government chose to ignore its own committee's findings and the report was shelved. The Lokayukta report, which came with several supporting documents, is still under investigation. It came into focus again when the Congress party's Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi passed through Obulapuram village in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh and entered Karnataka at Bellary—the hub of illegal mining activity where the name of Janardhan Reddy became synonymous with the scam. Shivakumar acknowledged that Patil had chaired a subcommittee during the previous Congress government and had then pointed out several irregularities and made suggestions on how to recover the losses. He said the current cabinet has now sought a report from Patil on the measures to be taken to protect the state's interests, and the subcommittee will submit its report in a month. The cabinet has also decided to extend the tenure of the Lokayukta Special Investigation Team (SIT) by one more year starting July 1. Kumaraswamy, under whose regime Patil had also alleged illegal mining was rampant, and who is now Union minister, hit back at Patil, calling the timing of the letter suspicious. 'Suddenly, Patil has woken up to the illegal mining issue in Karnataka. He claims it's a Rs 1.5 lakh crore scam. You've been the law minister for two years—were you in a Kumbhakarna-like slumber?" he said. He alleged the letter was a 'drama" to divert attention from scams in the housing department and took a dig at Siddaramaiah, saying: 'Even when Siddaramaiah had the sub-committee report under his leadership, he did nothing. What's the point of writing letters now? Throw them in the dustbin." top videos View all Patil also spoke to News18 on the on the proposed amendment to the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act in Karnataka, saying: 'We are particular that the law should be made more stringent. Taking into account all social considerations and plugging the loopholes in the previous Act, we are doing our best on this matter." The Karnataka government is set to introduce a bill that will penalise even the planning and engagement of minors, aiming to make child marriage prevention tougher and legally watertight. About the Author Rohini Swamy Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18's digital platform. She has previously worked with More Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : congress DK Shivakumar Illegal Mining Janardhan Reddy Mallikarjun Kharge Siddaramaiah view comments Location : Bengaluru, India, India First Published: July 09, 2025, 12:16 IST News politics 'Stop Speaking': HK Patil's Message To Congress Colleagues Amid Fresh 'Shivakumar For CM' Pitch Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. 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Hindustan Times
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
By censuring Tharoor, Congress lost the plot
I would have thought the Congress would look upon Shashi Tharoor as a prized asset, one of its most valuable members and a source of enormous pride. But, instead, it seems to consider him a renegade, perhaps a rebel or, at least, a rascal. The leadership is not merely cold and unwelcoming to him, it seems they just don't like him. Is this jealousy? Could it be insecurity? Or might it be rivalry? Shashi, I have no doubt, threatens many Congressmen at many levels. Those who lack his sophistication and oratory could be envious. Those who are uncertain of their own success or, even, qualifications would, no doubt, feel insecure. Whilst those who believe they are as good as he is, as talented and as popular, may well see him as a rival. All three would want him cut to size, reduced in standing if not actually turfed out of the party. Now, you could, perhaps, say this is inevitable in politics or, at least, in the devious and, often, deceptive way we practise it. It's possible bright young things in other parties are treated by their peers in equivalent or, at least, not dissimilar ways. Most ambitious human beings don't like people who can outshine them. Politicians definitely fall into that category. All of that I accept and understand. And Shashi's confidently smiling, often smug, appearance can easily rankle and rile. I'm sure he makes enemies easily, if unintentionally. But to choose to target and vilify Shashi when he is out of the country, batting for India and, by all counts, doing a superlative job is inexplicable. It's also self-defeating. Neither the Congress nor its individual members emerge shining in glory. Instead, they seem petty, mean-spirited and, also, rather foolish. First, the timing is wrong. Even if Shashi had — accidentally or deliberately — forgotten or ignored the fact India has crossed the Line of Control on previous occasions in response to terror strikes by Pakistani groups, this was not the moment to correct him. Not when he is abroad. Not in public. And certainly not when he is winning the praise and applause of our countrymen. It's terrible timing on all three counts. Second, it did not strike a receptive chord within the country. Indeed, it was never likely to. An astute political party only goes public with a loud admonition if it believes that it will be met with a warm and welcome response. Quite the opposite was the case this time round. The Congress shot itself in the foot whilst Shashi won loads of sympathy, in addition to the admiration he already has in abundance. Clearly, this was 40-love Shashi. However, the most bizarre part is the Congress could have gained immeasurably in stature, whilst also teasingly embarrassing the government, if it had thought coolly and carefully, strategically and craftily, whilst acting with sagacity and, let's be honest, a little bit of guile. Instead of attacking, they should have publicly admired Shashi. 'Look', the party spokespersons should have said, at a press conference convened specially for the occasion, 'how Congress MPs like Shashi Tharoor are acquitting themselves in the service of the country. This proves Congressmen are irreplaceable. In its hour of need India cannot do without them.' That would have been a well-deserved pat on the Congress's own back. Most people would have smilingly agreed. But the Congress could also have gone one step further. Its spokespersons could have added: 'There's no one in the BJP that can match us. The BJP realises that when India needs to be heard it's a Congress voice that counts. This is why a Congressman led the delegation to America, the most important country in the world.' Of course, I'm exaggerating when I put it like this. But that's only to make my point. This was a time to take credit and also, in the friendliest of ways, taunt the government. In its dislike of Shashi — and what else would you call it — it threw this opportunity away. Silly Congress! Karan Thapar is the author of Devil's Advocate: The Untold Story. The views expressed are personal.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Warring calls for police reforms, says Cong won't forgive or forget
Ludhiana: Punjab Congress president and MP from Ludhiana, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring slammed AAP for the Vigilance summons issued to Bharat Bhushan Ashu and described the governance of AAP as a "circus instead of a sarkaar. " Warring, who reached Ludhiana to address mediapersons on the issue, said that the Congress would neither forget nor forgive "any sins of omission and commission being committed by this government." Warring said that the summons issued to Ashu amid the election campaign showed that AAP had admitted its defeat and was now acting in sheer frustration. "The cat is out of the bag as both Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann are feeling desperate and frustrated about the imminent loss in the elections," he observed. Warring asked why the VB needed to issue the summons in the midst of the campaign and why they could not wait till the elections. He claimed that earlier, cases were registered against party workers and councillors to threaten and intimidate them so that they would not campaign for Ashu. However, he said that Congressmen would not be intimidated. Warring also warned officers against "dancing like puppets to the tunes of AAP," saying that they would be held accountable in about one year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "We will neither forget, nor shall we forgive or spare you," warned Warring. Saying that Punjab had become a "police state," Warring emphasised the need for comprehensive police reforms to fix accountability. He said that a commission would be set up as soon as the Congress formed government in 2027 to verify the cases, and the fake FIRs would be cancelled immediately. He also said that officers found to have registered fake FIRs would be dismissed instantly. Warring declared that about 50 DSPs, 35 SPs, and a few more officers in Punjab "deserve to be dismissed immediately." He suggested that the commission would identify all such officers. Earlier at 1.30pm, Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu, along with Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh, former minister Pargat Singh and former MLA Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu, addressed a PC over the issue at the party's election office. By 2.15pm, Warring, along with former MLAs Surinder Dawar, Rakesh Pandey, Sanjay Talwar, Kuldeep Vaid, Simarjit Singh Bains, Balwinder Bains, Jassi Khangura, and Capt Sandeep Sandhu, besides others, addressed another PC at a hotel near Bhai Bala Chowk, a few metres away from Congress's election office. When questioned about having two PCs over the same issue, Warring said that he was unaware if Ashu was also conducting a press conference. However, he said that the party was united when it came to fighting with the opposition. MSID:: 121678445 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
