Allegations of mistreatment and abuse of female PTI members in jails had recently surfaced. However, PTI female leaders denied being mistreated during their imprisonment in jail after the May 9th riots.
PTI leaders Aeiya Hamza Malik, Sanam Javaid Khan and Tayyaba Raja were going to the Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore. During their brief interaction with journalists, the PTI women denied being mistreated in jail.
Sanam Javaid Khan said that no abuse occurred in jails; however, keeping them in jail when they have done nothing is abuse. Aliya Hamza Malik added that it was humiliating that women were picked up from their homes in the middle of the night.
Read more: Khawaja Asif apologizes for humiliation of PTI women
Meanwhile, Tayyaba Raja added that if there is a problem with their social media activity, then action to should be taken through the relevant laws instead of making them a target of political revenge.
جیل میں کوئی زیادتی نہیں ہوئی جیل میں رکھنا ہی زیادتی، پی ٹی آئی خواتین رہنماؤں کی عدالت میں صحافیوں سے بات چیت pic.twitter.com/sgHYB6hU5T
— Shahid Hussain (@ShahidHussainJM) June 2, 2023
Allegations of women being mistreated in jail
Thousands of PTI workers who have been arrested in connection with the May 9 violence also include women. PTI Chairman Imran Khan had alleged that there were reports of abuse, including “rape”, of his women party workers and supporters who were arrested following the May 9 riots.
If there were any doubts about women being mistreated in jails, this press conference from this certified criminal should remove all such doubts.
He is so obviously trying to cover up and preempt the horror stories about to break in the media.
Women have never been so… pic.twitter.com/ig06rvsdsl
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 28, 2023
On the other hand, CM Mohsin Naqvi rejected the allegations, saying that the PTI was resorting to propaganda regarding women being mistreated in prisons. He also formed a committee to probe the issue. He further pleaded for caution before levelling such accusations.
Read more: President of PTI Women’s Wing gets blackmailed
The committee comprising SSP Investigation Dr Anoosh Masood and Lahore Deputy Commissioner Rafia Haider told Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday, after a visit to the Kot Lakhpat jail, that the inmates were being treated as per standard operating procedures (SOPs).
The two officers said they met everyone separately and questioned them about any mistreatment. SSP Anoosh Masood said no male from jail staff could enter the area allocated for women prisoners. She said a female doctor, a psychologist and two lady health workers were there round the clock.