“If They Can Spare Time, Visit Us in Jail,” Shah Mahmood Qureshi Tells PTI Leadership

Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, currently imprisoned at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail, issued a sarcastic appeal to his party’s “free” leadership, urging them to visit him and seek his input on political matters.

Speaking to the media outside Rawalpindi’s anti-terrorism court on Saturday, Qureshi reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to PTI Chairman Imran Khan, who is also incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. Highlighting the importance of consultation, Qureshi said the leadership should consider engaging with members detained over the past year.

“I remain steadfast in my commitment to PTI,” Qureshi said. “Earlier, I was imprisoned in Adiala in the cipher case, and by Allah’s grace, I was exonerated. Now, I face false charges in Kot Lakhpat. Despite these challenges, my dedication to the party and its mission remains unchanged.”

Addressing key PTI figures, including Barrister Gohar, Salman Akram Raja, Omar Ayub, and Sheikh Waqas Akram, Qureshi called for more proactive engagement with jailed members. In a pointed remark, he said, “If the leadership can spare the time, they should visit us in Kot Lakhpat. We may have insights or suggestions to share that could benefit the party.”

Qureshi also highlighted the plight of other detained PTI members, including Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Ijaz Chaudhry, Mian Mehmoodur Rashid, and Omar Sarfraz Cheema, who have been incarcerated for over a year.

In an informal conversation with reporters, Qureshi’s daughter Meher Bano emphasized her father’s commitment to PTI’s cause, adding that he urged the public to pay attention to the significance of November 24.

Meanwhile, Zain Qureshi, Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s son and a member of the National Assembly, disclosed that he had stepped down from his party position after receiving a show-cause notice. “I have resigned from my party post, responded to the notice, and now await the party’s decision,” he said. Zain also attended a recent PTI meeting in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reaffirming his continued involvement in party affairs.

The comments come amid a challenging period for PTI, as it navigates internal and external pressures while its key leadership faces legal and political hurdles.