Sisters of PTI founder Imran Khan sit outside Adiala jail after they were denied a meeting on Tuesday. Photo: X/PTI
RAWALPINDI:
A planned family and legal meeting with former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan at Adiala Prison on Tuesday ended without any visits, triggering a prolonged sit-in protest outside the prison by his sisters and senior party leaders, as authorities cordoned off the area under sweeping security measures.
As tensions simmered outside Adiala prison, senior party leaders stepped up pressure on authorities, warning that continued restrictions would only deepen political divides and fuel public anger.
Although Tuesday December 9 was designated as the day for families, lawyers and relatives to meet at Adiala Prison, no one was allowed to meet Imran Khan.
According to party sources, the meeting window extends from 2 p.m. to around 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. However, at 4 p.m. sharp, Aleema Khan and members of the PTI central leadership were informed that there would be no meeting today.
Additionally, officials also refused to give assurance that a meeting would be permitted on Thursday, December 11.
Later, Imran Khan’s three sisters – Aleema Khan, Noreen Khan and Dr Uzma Khan – staged a sit-in protest outside Adiala jail. They were soon joined by PTI President Barrister Gohar Ali, General Secretary Salman Akram Raja, Rehana Dar, Aamer Dogar and Senator Aon Abbas Buppi.
Several MPs and party leaders, including Junaid Akbar, Shahid Khattak, Meena Khan, Farrukh Sial, Niazullah Khan Niazi and Naeem Panjutha, also joined.
The sit-in continued late into the night, amid periodic chants from party activists.
The prison and its surroundings were completely closed. Roads leading to Adiala prison were closed for almost four kilometers on both sides, and markets, fuel pumps and schools were closed in nearby localities.
Police also quietly took possession of vehicles parked by party leaders and workers some distance from the prison and transferred them to a police picket in Bahria Town, triggering further tensions at the site.
Addressing the protesters, Aleema Khan said there was no confrontation with the police. “The police are our brothers and they treat us well,” she said, calling on workers to stay put as women were present at the protest.
She added that police personnel themselves seemed worried and pointed out that meetings with Imran Khan had not been allowed for a long time. “He is being subjected to mental torture,” she said, adding that the former prime minister “remains determined.”
Aleema Khan said her sister did not engage in any political discussion in the previous meeting, arguing that talking about government employees could not be termed as political activity.
Questioning repeated justifications for access restrictions, she asked: “How does the PTI founder pose a threat to national security? Just give us an example. »
She also asked under what orders Imran Khan was kept in solitary confinement. “We have been coming here for more than a month just looking for meetings,” she said, adding that criticizing an institution or its leader does not constitute a threat to national security.
She urged journalists to “think carefully” about how they present the subject, warning that otherwise she would refrain from speaking out.
