ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar strongly criticised the sisters of former prime minister Imran Khan for giving an interview to Indian media, accusing them of harming Pakistan’s image at a sensitive time.
The comments came days after Imran Khan’s sisters, Aleema Khan, Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Khan, staged a sit-in outside Adiala Jail, where the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder is currently incarcerated.
PTI leaders said the women were peacefully waiting after being denied a meeting with their brother when police allegedly manhandled and detained them.
Tarar alleged that the three sisters were present at the Lahore Corps Commander’s House during the May 9 unrest last year.
“If you ask my legal opinion, their presence is proof,” he said, claiming that security footage showed their involvement.
“The drama being made today, there is a reason for that.”
He argued that the PTI leadership was struggling to accept what he described as the government’s foreign policy achievements after Operation Marka-i-Haq and improvements in economic stability. “They are not able to digest this,” he stated.
Furthermore, Tarar reserved his strongest criticism for the sisters’ recent appearance on Indian and Afghan media channels. He questioned why, in their interview with an Indian outlet, they did not condemn Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the deaths of Pakistani civilians, or the sacrifices of security personnel.
“Those who go on Indian channels and defame Pakistan should be ashamed,” he said, accusing the Indian networks of promoting voices “against Pakistan’s interests”.
He further criticised Noreen Khan for not raising issues such as the Hindutva ideology, the treatment of Muslims in India, or the situation in India-occupied Kashmir during her interview. “Shame on you!” he said, adding that the family appeared more focused on “crying victimisation” than acknowledging national concerns.
Tarar said the former prime minister was in good condition. “Let me assure you: he’s hale and hearty. He runs every day on a treadmill for an hour,” he said, adding that Khan was receiving treatment and facilities “not available to any other prisoner”.
