Police blocked several senior opposition officials and family members of the former Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday to meet him in Adiala prison, causing demonstrations outside the establishment.
Among those who are arrested were the sister of Imran, Aleema Khan, his two sisters, chief of the opposition to the National Assembly Omar Ayub, the head of the Pti Zartaj Gul, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Niazullah Niazi and several others.
The security personnel deployed in various police checks refused them, citing security problems.
Aleema Khan and her sisters organized a sit-in demonstration against the police blockade, refusing to leave.
“We were assured that we met him today, but again, we would lie,” Aleema told journalists. The family maintained that she would not leave before access.
At a separate checkpoint, Omar Ayub was intercepted. Addressing the media, Ayub criticized the government for what it called “economic deception” and questioned its management of national funds, in particular with regard to Balutchistan.
He accused the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of “dishonesty and bad governance”.
The Zartaj Gul of PTI was also refused the entrance near the Daighal control point.
She condemned the blockade, the politically motivated appellant. “They closed Adiala Road and transformed this into a show. They are afraid that we will meet our leader,” she told journalists. She also criticized government officials for “double standard” and “abusing authority”.
Religious leader Sahibzada Hamid Raza and Niazullah Niazi were also arrested. Hamid Raza expressed his frustration as to what he called “selective authorizations” granted for prison visits.
“Imran Khan represents the nation. If this is how a former Prime Minister is treated, how can ordinary citizens expect justice? ” He said.
Raza also rejected complaints suggesting divisions in the ranks of the opposition. “I will never be part of a compromise group. I reject the compromise with contempt,” he added, referring to the alleged stolen door transactions.
Earlier this week, the judicial orders would have given visits to certain names submitted by the legal team of Imran Khan.
However, several leaders said they were denied access despite the approved list.
