RAWALPINDI (MNN); Sisters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, along with party workers and supporters, continued their sit-in on Tuesday at Factory Naka near Adiala Jail, demanding enforcement of a court order allowing meetings with the former prime minister.
An Islamabad High Court (IHC) order issued on March 24 directed jail authorities to permit meetings with Imran Khan twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The PTI, however, maintains that the directive is being routinely ignored.
Despite repeated attempts over recent weeks, Imran Khan’s sisters Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Khan Niazi, as well as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, have been unable to meet him. Last Tuesday, a similar protest was dispersed in the early hours using water cannons after the family was denied access.
On Tuesday, Imran’s sisters again marched toward the jail but were stopped by police. Speaking during the march, Aleema Khan said they would hold their sit-in wherever authorities prevented them from proceeding. Asked about possible use of water cannons or an extended protest, she said she had come prepared with warm clothing and a blanket.
A large number of PTI supporters joined the demonstration, while a heavy police presence was deployed in the area. Aleema Khan told reporters that the protest takes place at the same spot every Tuesday and insisted that participants were acting within the law.
“We have no option left other than to protest,” she said, adding that Imran Khan’s core demand was the restoration of the Constitution, democracy and rule of law. She also criticised the prevailing political and economic situation, claiming judicial independence had been undermined, unemployment was increasing due to suspended trade with Afghanistan, and security conditions were worsening.
Referring to Uzma Khan’s brief meeting with Imran Khan on December 2 and the government’s claim that political discussions had taken place in violation of jail rules, Aleema asked authorities to clarify what had allegedly been discussed.
Imran Khan’s legal affairs spokesperson, Naeem Haider Panjhuta, shared videos from the protest, showing large crowds gathered near the jail. He said Tuesday was the designated day for family members and lawyers to meet Imran Khan but authorities were still refusing access despite the court order and jail manual provisions.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, also present at the sit-in, urged party workers and the public to join the protest in solidarity with Imran Khan’s sisters. He questioned how authorities could dictate what topics family members were allowed to discuss during meetings.
Responding to a query, Raja said the party was calling on the entire nation to stand up, stressing that PTI would not bow to pressure. He added that public conscience must be awakened and predicted that a time would come when hundreds of thousands would take to the streets.
Noreen Khan Niazi told reporters that PTI was a peaceful political party and alleged that protesters had been injured by water cannons used during last week’s dispersal. She reiterated that Imran Khan was being unlawfully detained and vowed to continue efforts for his release.
A livestream shared by PTI on social media showed young supporters waving party flags and chanting slogans as they moved toward the jail.
Imran Khan has been incarcerated at Adiala Jail since August 2023, serving a sentence in the £190 million corruption case, while also facing trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the May 9, 2023 protests. The PTI has repeatedly expressed concern over his health and prison conditions.
Last week, a United Nations special rapporteur warned that Imran Khan’s detention conditions could amount to inhuman or degrading treatment and urged Pakistani authorities to comply with international standards. The PTI said the report highlighted serious violations of fundamental human rights.
