Imran Khan’s sisters staged a sit-in near Adiala jail after authorities again refused them permission to meet the former prime minister. They had arrived with Barrister Gohar Ali Khan for a scheduled visit. However, police said that official meeting hours had already ended.
Officers blocked the family at the Factory checkpoint. Aleema Khan urged party workers to stay calm and keep a distance. She reminded them that police officers were not enemies and were themselves under pressure.
Family Claims They Have Been Denied Access for Weeks
Aleema said the family had faced repeated refusals for several weeks. She insisted that her sister had not discussed politics during the previous meeting. She questioned who had ordered Imran Khan’s continued isolation and said the family had been visiting for a month only to meet him.
After the denial, the sisters resumed their sit-in. Several PTI lawmakers, including Junaid Akbar and Shahid Khattak, joined them. Members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet also reached the site in support.
Security Tightened Around Adiala Jail
The road leading to the jail remained sealed throughout the day. Authorities deployed over 1,200 police officers under Section 144. Shops and educational centres from Gorakhpur to Dahgal were closed as part of the security plan.
PTI leaders continued to condemn the restrictions. Asad Qaiser called the denial of visitation unlawful. He also criticised the delay in appointing an opposition leader and demanded a fair legal process. He argued that banning Imran Khan, as some suggested, would not weaken the party.
Long-Standing Dispute Over Meeting Rights Deepens
Meetings with the PTI founder have been at the center of tensions. The last approved meeting happened only last week when Uzma Khan was allowed to see him.
In recent months, PTI supporters have clashed repeatedly with police outside Adiala jail. A major sit-in by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi lasted 16 hours. Before that, Imran Khan’s sisters were briefly detained during a protest outside the jail.
The government has since imposed a complete ban on meeting the imprisoned leader. Officials announced the ban after remarks by a top military spokesperson, who labeled the PTI founder a national security threat.
Barrister Gohar Calls the Denial of Access Unlawful
Speaking at the Dahgal checkpoint, Barrister Gohar said meeting the PTI founder was a legal right backed by court orders. He warned that blocking access could fuel further political instability.
He said politics should not become personal hostility. He urged authorities to avoid using harsh language and to allow families and lawyers to meet detainees.
Gohar emphasised that dialogue could bring stability. He noted that the PTI founder had already authorised Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas to lead negotiations. He added that state institutions and parliament must work together to ease tensions.
He warned that continued chaos would damage public morale. He said Pakistan had overcome major challenges before and could do so again if political communication improved.
