PTI Leader Yasmin Rashid Hospitalized After Jail Collapse

Yasmin Rashid, a prominent PTI leader, was admitted to Lahore's Services Hospital after collapsing in Kot Lakhpat Jail. She has been in custody for almost a year due to her involvement in the protests and riots that broke out on May 9, 2023, following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan.

Initially detained under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance on May 12 last year, Yasmin was later arrested for her alleged participation in the May 9 riots. Her lawyer disclosed that her health deteriorated significantly while in jail, leading to her sudden collapse. Despite suffering from continuous vomiting and stomach problems, she did not receive proper medical attention until she fainted and had to be urgently taken to the hospital.

Rana Mudassir, her lawyer, attributed her fainting episode to the extreme heat in her cell and drinking contaminated water without access to adequate treatment. Fawad Chaudhry, a former PTI leader and federal minister, expressed worry about Yasmin's declining health, pointing out her age, cancer diagnosis, and prolonged detention without necessary healthcare.

Chaudhry criticized the absence of basic health facilities for Yasmin and other female PTI prisoners, underscoring the violation of their constitutional rights. He urged the Supreme Court to intervene and address the extended detention of political prisoners, citing a disregard for constitutional principles in Pakistan.

The hospitalization of Yasmin Rashid highlights the challenges faced by political prisoners in Pakistan and the urgent need for proper healthcare facilities within the prison system. It also raises concerns about the treatment of detainees and the protection of their constitutional rights. The case of Yasmin Rashid underscores the importance of ensuring the well-being of all individuals in custody, regardless of their political affiliations.