ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Sunday strongly criticised the sisters of PTI founder Imran Khan for giving interviews to Indian media, while one of them, Noreen Niazi, accused the ruling PML-N of “double standards” and political manipulation.
Last week, Imran’s sisters — Aleema Khan, Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi — staged a sit-in outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail after being denied a meeting with the incarcerated former prime minister. PTI leaders alleged that the sisters were “peacefully sitting” when they were manhandled and detained by police.
Amid mounting tensions, Noreen and Aleema later gave interviews to Indian news outlets, prompting a sharp rebuke from the information minister.
Tarar Questions Sisters’ Motives, Links Their Actions to May 9
Speaking to the media, Tarar claimed that Imran’s sisters had also been present at the Lahore Corps Commander House on May 9, 2023. He alleged their presence was “visible in the cameras” and argued that their interviews were an attempt to build a narrative of victimisation.
He accused the PTI of being unable to “digest” what he described as the government’s foreign policy and economic progress following “Marka-i-Haq”, a reference used by officials to describe recent security operations.
Tarar denounced the sisters for appearing on Indian channels. He questioned why Noreen’s interview did not mention Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir, Hindutva violence, or recent attacks that killed civilians and security personnel in Pakistan.
“Those who go on Indian channels and defame Pakistan should be ashamed,” he said, adding that Indian networks platformed them because “this family and this party’s mindset is against Pakistan.”
He rejected claims that Imran Khan’s health was deteriorating, asserting instead that the former premier was “hale and hearty” and enjoyed facilities “no other prisoner in the world” would receive.
Noreen Niazi Responds: ‘PML-N Lectures Others While Doing the Same’
In a strong rebuttal, Noreen Niazi accused the PML-N of hypocrisy. She said that while PML-N leaders condemned her for speaking to Indian media, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif himself had used Indian platforms in the past to criticise Pakistan’s institutions.
She further alleged that portions of her interview were “doctored using AI” to distort her statements. Noreen maintained that her public comments aimed only to highlight what she called the “unlawful isolation” and “systematic denial” of Imran Khan’s legal and humanitarian rights.
You May Also Like: Govt Says Imran Khan ‘in Good Health’ as PTI Senators Stage Noisy Protest in Senate
Tarar Alleges ‘Political-Terror-Crime Nexus’ in KP
Tarar also levelled serious allegations against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, claiming the provincial administration and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had links with “enemies of the state.” He cited over 4,000 terrorism-related cases filed in the past three years, criticising the prosecution rate as “nonexistent.”
Attaullah Tarar said Imran’s family was building “hype” in foreign media about the danger to Imran’s health.
“Let me assure you: he’s hale and hearty. There’s no issue. He runs every day on a treadmill for an hour.”https://t.co/abNqOZnjAb
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) November 30, 2025
He alleged that drug cartels operating in KP were financing terrorism and accused the provincial government of failing to curb drug trafficking, claiming that only 679 of more than 10,000 cases in 2025 had been decided.
Tarar said the alleged “political-terror-crime nexus” was undermining national security and enabling militant infiltration due to administrative weaknesses.
