RAWALPINDI: Aleema Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, said on Tuesday that the family had been left with no choice but to stage a protest after being repeatedly prevented from meeting him at Adiala Jail.
Speaking to the media near the factory check-post, Aleema said the family was acting within the law. “We are not doing anything illegal or unconstitutional. If we are stopped every week, what option do we have other than protest?” she asked.
Aleema Khan, along with Imran Khan’s sisters Noreen Khan and Dr Uzma Khan and senior PTI leaders, arrived near Adiala Jail for a scheduled family meeting. However, despite Tuesday being designated for family and lawyers’ visits, jail authorities informed them at around 4pm that the meeting would not be allowed.
Warning that the family would not leave if the meeting was denied, Aleema said they were holding a peaceful sit-in. “If they do not allow the meeting, so be it. We are sitting here peacefully. Today, we have even brought blankets with us,” she said.
Security around Adiala Jail was tightened significantly, with additional police contingents deployed, water cannons positioned at Gate No 5, and barricades placed at multiple entry points, including Gorakhpur and the factory check-post.
Markets in nearby areas were closed, petrol pumps shut down, and both public and private schools were given the day off. PTI workers also began gathering near the jail amid the heightened security.
Aleema Khan said Imran Khan’s demands were limited to constitutional principles. “The founder’s demand is the restoration of the Constitution, democracy and the rule of law,” she said, adding that he had been incarcerated for over two and a half years.
Questioning the repeated denial of meetings, she asked why Imran Khan’s family was not being allowed to meet him as permitted under the law. “The government should explain why the PTI founder’s family is being denied access,” she said.
Referring to broader issues, Aleema said the closure of Afghan trade had led to widespread job losses and claimed that the judiciary’s constitutional independence had been undermined. “Conditions in Pakistan are going from bad to worse,” she added.
She also questioned restrictions placed on conversations during jail meetings. “If there was a discussion about the army chief, what is the issue? The government should clarify what political discussion my sister allegedly held during the previous meeting,” she said.
Speaking on the occasion, Noreen Niazi rejected allegations of violence and criticised police action. “We are not terrorists. PTI is a peaceful party. Water cannons were used against us and people were injured. The Punjab Police is acting like a terrorist force,” she said.
Senior PTI leader Salman Akram Raja, addressing the media at the factory check-post, called for broader solidarity. “Coming here is not only the responsibility of members of parliament. Anyone who believes in democracy and the supremacy of law should be here,” he said.
Raja described restrictions on conversations during jail meetings as unlawful, saying no law allowed authorities to dictate what an individual could discuss. “How can anyone tell a human being what they are allowed to talk about?” he asked.
He also referred to the deteriorating security situation, calling the APS tragedy deeply painful and warning that terrorism was once again resurging. He added that commitments made following the merger of the tribal areas had not been fulfilled.
Raja claimed that the clause barring political discussion in jail rules was introduced during the era of General Zia-ul-Haq and said it violated fundamental rights.
The situation remained tense at the time of filing this report, with a heavy police presence and a continuing protest outside Adiala Jail.
