ISLAMABAD: Punjab’s Information Minister Uzma Bukhari responded to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Khan Afridi’s letter addressed to Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, stating that no one can compel any prisoner to meet.
Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari stated that prison authorities cannot force a prisoner to meet anyone if they do not wish to do so. In response to a letter from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Bukhari clarified that the Punjab Chief Minister is not involved in prisoner meetings, and Maryam Nawaz does not interfere in the responsibilities of government officials.
Bukhari explained that according to prison regulations, political meetings are prohibited, and the jail superintendent holds the final authority in such matters. Meetings are arranged between prisoners and their relatives, with the visitors’ names provided by the prisoners themselves.
She emphasized that if a prisoner chooses not to meet anyone, the jail authorities cannot compel them to do so. Currently, meetings with the founder of PTI are held twice a week, with 420 meetings conducted with his lawyers and 189 with family members. Meetings involving Bushra Bibi’s family are separate from these.
Additionally, the provincial minister noted that weekly protests take place outside the jail. Bukhari advised Sohail Afridi to familiarize himself with the law before attempting to instruct others on legal matters. She accused Afridi of holding rallies with individuals convicted for their involvement in the events of May 9 and of threatening government officials.
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