RAWALPINDI: Tensions escalated on Tuesday near Adiala Jail when a confrontation broke out between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and police, resulting in several arrests and a brief standoff. The clash took place at the Gorakhpur checkpoint, where PTI supporters had gathered, protesting the denial of access for party leaders to meet imprisoned founder Imran Khan.
As the situation intensified, police deployed batons to disperse the crowd, prompting PTI workers to retaliate by throwing stones at the authorities. Several key PTI figures, including party workers, were taken into custody during the exchange.
The altercation was eventually brought under control after intervention by Omar Ayub, the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, who assured police of cooperation from the party.
In a related development, police also detained Imran Khan’s sisters, Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, along with PTI leader Aliya Hamza. They had arrived at Adiala Jail to visit Imran Khan but were prevented from entering the premises.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar condemned the detentions, highlighting that a court order explicitly allowed the family to meet Imran Khan. He criticized the arrests as “illegal and unconstitutional” and clarified that PTI had neither instigated stone-throwing nor organized the protest. The primary objective was to show solidarity with Imran Khan’s family.
In a separate incident, reports indicated that the police halted the vehicle carrying the detained individuals just short of the jail. Authorities assured the group they were not headed to a police station, advising them to return home. However, sources said that the detained individuals, including the Khan sisters and Aliya Hamza, refused to leave, insisting they be taken to a police station if they were to be detained.
The situation has raised concerns over the treatment of political figures and their families, particularly regarding legal rights and the enforcement of court orders.
