The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Tuesday expressed deep concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding the continued detention of women associated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the conditions in which party chief Imran Khan has been kept in Attock Jail.
In a statement issued by HRCP Chairperson Hina Jillani on Tuesday, it said that it has now been over three months since women affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in one form or the other were detained.
"It is not clear how many women are currently in jail, what they have been charged with, where they have been detained, which courts they are to be presented in and whether challans have been issued for their remand," the HRCP said.
"This situation is unacceptable."
HRCP stated that under Section 167 of the Criminal Procedure Code, women cannot be remanded into state custody except in cases of serious crimes.
"The state is duty-bound to ensure that the detention of any citizen follows not only legal procedure, but that details of their detention are publicly available so that their right to due process can be protected," it said.
HRCP raised the alarm on the treatment of PTI women workers, noting that such treatment has, historically, been meted out to political workers of parties that fell out of favour with state institutions.
"This cycle must end now," the rights organization stressed.
Imran's jail conditions
The HRCP also expressed its concerns over allegations that former prime minister Imran Khan is being detained in Attock Jail in conditions that violate the Pakistan Prison Rules 1978.
The Punjab Prisons Department, HRCP urged, must investigate these allegations and ensure that Imran Khan receives the facilities to which he is entitled, being the former prime minister and according to his prison class.