PTI chief lawyers cannot reach him in jail: spokesperson

PTI chief lawyers cannot reach him in jail: spokesperson

Pakistan

It is not clear whether PTI chief would appear in court on Monday

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Lawyers of the former Prime Minister could not reach him on Sunday after he spent the night in a jail near the capital following his arrest the previous day on a corruption conviction, a spokesperson said.

The PTI chief was taken by police from his home in the eastern city of Lahore on Saturday and transferred to the jail just outside Islamabad, where a court had convicted him of charges arising over the sale of state gifts.

The conviction likely means he will be disqualified from running in a national election.

"Attock prison is a 'No Go' area for (his) legal team as well as locals in the vicinity," said Naeem Haider Panjotha, the PTI chief's spokesperson for legal affairs, adding they were unable to take him food or arrange the signing of legal documents.

It was not clear whether PTI chief would appear in court on Monday.

The arrest was the latest in a series of blows that have weakened the former PM’s political standing.

His party said it had filed appeals in higher courts over the decision.