PTI founder Imran Khan’s sisters sit outside Adiala Jail after being denied a meeting on Tuesday. Photo: X/PTI
RAWALPINDI:
A scheduled family and legal meeting with former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail on Tuesday ended without visits, prompting a prolonged sit-in protest outside the jail by his sisters and senior party leaders, as authorities locked down the area under extensive security.
As tensions rose outside Adiala prison, senior party leaders increased pressure on authorities, warning that continued restrictions were deepening political divisions and fueling public anger.
Even though Tuesday (December 9) was designated as a meeting day for family members, lawyers and relatives in Adiala Jail, no one was allowed to meet Imran Khan.
According to party sources, the meeting period extends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. However, at exactly 4 pm, Aleema Khan and members of the PTI central leadership were informed that there would be no meeting today.
In addition, officials also refused to give assurances that a meeting would be allowed 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 Chairman Advocate Gohar Ali, General Secretary Salman Akram Raja, Rehana Dar, Aamer Dogar and Senator Aon Abbas Buppi.
Several MNAs and party leaders also joined, including Junaid Akbar, Shahid Khattak, Meena Khan, Farrukh Sial, Niazullah Khan Niazi and Naeem Panjutha.
The sit-in continued late into the night amidst periodic chanting by party workers.
The prison and its surroundings were completely closed. Roads leading to Adiala prison were sealed for almost four kilometers on both sides, and markets, petrol pumps and schools closed in nearby towns.
Police also quietly took possession of vehicles parked by party leaders and workers at some distance from the jail and moved them to a Bahria Town police picket, sparking fresh tensions there.
Aleema Khan, addressing the protesters, said there was no clash with the police. “The police are our brothers and they are treating us well,” he said, urging workers to stay back as women were present at the protest.
He added that the police personnel themselves seemed uncomfortable and highlighted that meetings with Imran Khan had not been allowed for a long time. “He is being subjected to mental torture,” he said, adding that the former prime minister “remains determined.”
Aleema Khan said her sister had not engaged in any political discussions during the previous meeting, arguing that talking about government employees could not be considered political activity.
Questioning the repeated justification for restricting access, he asked: “How is the PTI founder a threat to national security? Give us just one example.”
He also asked under what orders Imran Khan was being kept in solitary confinement. “We have been coming here for more than a month just to seek meetings,” he said, adding that criticism of an institution or its director does not constitute a threat to national security.
He urged journalists to “think carefully” about how they raised the issue, warning that otherwise he would refrain from speaking.
