ISLAMABAD: The federal government is contemplating transferring Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from Adiala jail, with concerns over escalating political tensions in the country. Ikhtiar Wali, Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stated that the political confrontation had reached a critical point where “return seems impossible.”
Sources informed Geo News that authorities believe PTI is pushing an agenda to destabilize the country, using protests as a means to provoke unrest. Wali emphasized that the government is seriously considering the shift of the “prisoner” from Adiala, indicating that this proposal is under active review.
Wali also accused Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi of being involved with drug smugglers, claiming that Afridi’s performance was subpar and that his family members were engaged in the narcotics trade with his support.
This statement comes just a day after PTI founder’s sisters—Noreen Khan, Aleema Khan, and Uzma Khan—held a sit-in near Adiala jail after being denied a meeting with their brother. Police used water cannons to disperse the protesters, some of whom resisted by throwing stones, resulting in several PTI workers being arrested.
The issue of meetings with the imprisoned PTI leader has caused ongoing tensions between the government and the former ruling party. The last meeting took place just a week ago when Uzma Khan was allowed to visit Imran Khan.
The situation around Adiala jail has become increasingly volatile, with PTI protests and clashes with police and jail staff over access to the former prime minister, who has been imprisoned there for over two years. In a notable incident last month, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi staged a 16-hour sit-in at the jail. Earlier protests by Imran Khan’s sisters had also led to their brief detention.
In response, the government, through Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, imposed a blanket ban on meetings with the incarcerated politician, a move that followed comments from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General, who labeled Imran Khan as a “mentally ill person” and a threat to national security.
Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq noted that both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and he had expressed their willingness to engage in dialogue with the opposition. However, Sadiq revealed that the opposition only wanted to negotiate with the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. He lamented the targeting of the military, citing the use of offensive language against the forces responsible for defeating India.
Sadiq observed that the opposition had pushed the political discourse to a point where a return to normalcy seemed impossible. He remarked that while he had made efforts to engage in dialogue, the situation had become increasingly difficult.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan condemned the use of force on party workers, emphasizing that attempts to weaken the party would ultimately fail, as PTI remained committed to strengthening democracy in Pakistan.
PTI leader Asad Qaiser also criticized the idea of imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, asserting that PTI knew how to defend itself and that such measures were beyond the government’s capacity. He called for clarity from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) regarding Faisal Karim Kundi’s support for governor’s rule, asking if it represented the party’s official stance.
Qaiser reiterated that PTI sought peace and supported the use of state resources to combat terrorism but emphasized that the party would continue to speak out within the boundaries of the law.
