No PTI leader shows up for Adiala jail meeting with Imran Khan as rift rumours deepen

• Names submitted for meeting with PTI founder but no leaders arrive despite court-mandated visitation schedule

• Absence fuels talk of internal divisions within PTI as earlier list included senior leaders but none turned up last week either

• PTI says issue will be reviewed, warns against misuse of meeting lists

 ISLAMABAD: Not a single Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader appeared at Adiala Jail on Thursday—one of the two court-mandated days for meetings with incarcerated party founder Imran Khan—even though names had been formally submitted to the jail administration, amid renewed talk of internal divisions within the party.

On Wednesday, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja had forwarded a list of six leaders for meeting arrangements under court orders, including Senator Falak Naz Chitrali, Fazal Elahi, Ehtesham Khan, Sardar Ghulam Ali, Asghar Khan Lehri, Syed Naseebullah Agha and Chaudhry Javed Akhtar Gujjar.

However, on Thursday, none of the nominated leaders turned up at Adiala Jail to meet the party founder until 4pm, the cut-off time for inmate meetings.

The Islamabad High Court has allowed Imran Khan twice-weekly meetings—on Tuesdays and Thursdays—with his family, lawyers and political associates. Despite the order, he has reportedly remained largely deprived of such meetings for several months as directives remain unimplemented.

Meanwhile, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said the party had taken strict notice of the situation and would deliberate on the “unfortunate development” in an upcoming leadership meeting.

“There are thousands of leaders and workers who want to meet Imran Khan. Many workers go to Adiala Jail every week despite not being on the list and are not allowed to meet him. We will ensure that those who cannot come to Adiala Jail should not submit their names for meetings,” he said, adding that the matter would be addressed and action taken within the party.

This is not the first such instance. The same situation was reported last week when a list including senior leaders such as Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Sardar Latif Khosa, Babar Awan, and Hamid Khan was submitted, but none of them appeared at the jail.

On the other hand, Imran Khan’s sisters have consistently visited Adiala Jail on Tuesdays in an attempt to meet him, though such meetings have reportedly not been allowed by authorities.

Rumours of internal differences intensify within PTI

Reports and murmurs of internal differences and divisions within PTI have intensified, with the repeated absence of leaders from jail meeting lists being linked to growing factional strains.

Earlier this week, Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan moved to ease tensions with Salman Akram Raja, stating that she holds no formal party position and is solely focused on efforts to secure her brother’s release.

She had previously criticised PTI leadership, including the secretary general, over what she described as failure to secure Imran Khan’s release. In response, Raja reportedly expressed intent to submit his resignation, stating that Imran Khan had told him Aleema Khan did not fully understand political matters.

Speaking outside Adiala Jail, Aleema Khan reiterated that she is not seeking any party role and remains focused on her brother’s release. She also remarked on broader political issues, referring to stolen party votes and raising concerns over international conflicts and human rights situations.

Separately, Sheikh Waqas Akram condemned the treatment of Imran Khan and his wife in detention and criticised the denial of scheduled meetings, calling it a violation of rights. He cited Amnesty International findings in support of PTI’s position.

He also criticised IMF-linked policies, claiming they undermine national sovereignty, and urged authorities to ensure immediate access for lawyers, family members and political leaders in line with court orders. He further called on the judiciary to take action against those violating directives.

Reacting to the Amnesty International report, he said Pakistan’s internal human rights situation was damaging its international image despite ongoing diplomatic engagements.