Tension Builds Outside the Jail
Police in Rawalpindi broke up a late-night sit-in outside Adiala Jail after Imran Khan’s sisters and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters gathered to demand access to the former prime minister. The protest began earlier on Tuesday evening when PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and several senior leaders failed to secure permission to meet Khan inside the high-security facility.
PTI members set up the sit-in at the Factory Naka checkpoint near the prison. By around 2 a.m., police cleared the road and pushed the crowd away from the area. Officers said they acted to prevent the situation from escalating and to restore traffic flow.
Clashes Break Out as Police Move In
Former senator Mushtaq Ahmed reached the site to express solidarity with Khan’s sisters. Police then advanced and fired strong jets of water from water cannons to disperse the crowd. The spray struck Mushtaq Ahmed along with many other protesters.
Witnesses say tensions rose sharply when some PTI workers hurled stones at police personnel. Officers responded by charging toward the crowd and detaining several individuals. Police have not released an official tally of those taken into custody, but witnesses estimate that officers arrested multiple protesters during the scuffle.
Such confrontations have become common since authorities jailed Imran Khan in 2023. Supporters frequently gather near courts and prisons whenever party leaders attempt to meet him.
Imran Khan’s Sisters Demand Access
Aleema Khan, Imran Khan’s sister, criticised the authorities for blocking family visits for months. She said the administration had not offered a clear explanation for the restrictions. According to her, the family followed the rules during their last visit, and her sister avoided all political discussion with Imran Khan. She said the continued ban made no sense to the family.
Aleema Khan also questioned the conditions under which authorities keep her brother. She argued that the administration had placed Imran Khan in solitary confinement without offering any transparency. Someone ordered this, she said, and the public deserves to know who issued that order.
Human rights groups in Pakistan have also voiced concerns over the past year. Many organisations warn that political prisoners often struggle to secure basic rights, including access to lawyers and immediate family members.
Administration Cites Security Threats
The jail administration defended its decision and insisted that security threats around Imran Khan remain serious. Officials say the former prime minister’s high profile creates constant risk. They argue that regular visits could expose both staff and visitors to potential attacks.
Security agencies have tightened measures around Adiala Jail several times during the past twelve months. Authorities often refer to intelligence reports that warn of threats whenever crowds gather near the facility.
PTI leaders reject these claims. Barrister Gohar and other senior figures say the government uses the security argument to isolate Imran Khan. They claim that the law gives them the right to meet their party leader and that the administration has no justification for long-term restrictions.
Sit-in Ends but Political Disputes Continue
Police ended the sit-in only after clearing the area and pushing protesters away from the checkpoint. PTI leaders later told reporters they would continue to demand their legal right to visit Imran Khan.
The incident highlights the political strain running through Pakistan’s current climate. Khan’s imprisonment remains a divisive national issue. His supporters believe the state targeted him for political reasons, while government officials argue that courts convicted him after following due process.
As the standoff deepens, more protests appear likely. PTI leaders say they will keep pressing for visitation rights. Meanwhile, the administration says it will maintain the restrictions as long as security threats persist.
