ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (Alliance News): The continuation of family meetings with incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan is linked to an understanding that his relatives will strictly follow agreed standard operating procedures (SOPs), particularly by refraining from holding press conferences or issuing political statements after meeting him, according to informed sources.
Imran Khan’s sister, Noreen Khanum, was allowed to meet him again on Tuesday, marking her second meeting with the former prime minister within a few days.
Sources said the easing of restrictions on family meetings could continue as long as the agreed SOPs are followed. The understanding includes an undertaking that relatives meeting Imran Khan will not hold press conferences or make political statements after their meetings.
According to the sources, the understanding has also been reflected in Supreme Court proceedings, where such an undertaking was given.
The issue had remained contentious for some time as family members would sometimes address the media after meeting Imran Khan, while statements attributed to him would subsequently appear on his social media accounts.
The sources said such statements were often highly critical of the establishment, creating complications over the continuation of family meetings.
They pointed to an earlier meeting involving another of Imran Khan’s sisters, Dr Uzma, after which she reportedly spoke publicly despite an assurance that no such statements would be made.
Similarly, Aleema Khan has frequently spoken to the media following interactions with her brother, adding to concerns over family meetings being used as a channel for political messaging.
Sources said the latest development indicates that authorities are prepared to allow family meetings to take place more routinely, provided the agreed conditions are respected.
They said there was no reason for such meetings not to become a normal routine, similar to the regular meetings taking place between former first lady Bushra Bibi and her sisters and daughters.
The sources stressed that continuation of the current relaxation would depend on compliance with the SOPs. If relatives refrain from holding press conferences after meetings and no controversial political statements attributed to Imran Khan emerge from jail, family meetings are expected to continue without the earlier restrictions.
The development could provide relief to Imran Khan and his family while creating a mechanism for maintaining regular family contact without allowing such meetings to become a source of renewed political confrontation.
