Tensions flare as Imran Khan’s sisters denied visit at Adiala Jail

For the fourth time since March 20th, the sisters of Pakistan’s incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan were not allowed to meet him at Adiala Jail, despite scheduled visits sanctioned by the Islamabad High Court.

The court has approved Khan’s meetings with family, legal counsel, and party leaders every Tuesday and Thursday. On Tuesday, when Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan, and Naureen Khan arrived at the jail, authorities informed them that only two could enter.

The sisters refused to comply, saying they would not visit if they couldn't all go in together.

In response, the sisters and members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protested outside the jail. Tensions escalated when Punjab Police responded with hostility, and 82-year-old former Punjab Governor Mian Azhar was injured. He was later shifted to a hospital.

PTI leaders Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan, and Naureen Khan, along with Sahibzada Hamid Raza and Seemabia Tahir, were detained by police in a vehicle and released late Tuesday night.

Later in the evening, PTI held a press conference at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad. Secretary General Salman Akram Raja voiced strong criticism of the jail authorities.

"I was stopped a couple of miles before the jail entrance and was surrounded by police officials before they let me leave the premises," Raja said.

He added that the people who were allowed to meet Khan—Barrister Gohar, Senator Ali Zafar, and three others—were not on the list he had submitted as a court-appointed coordinator.

“I want to meet Khan and tell him the reality,” Raja said. “They are allowing only those people to meet Khan who are approved by them. Whoever is meeting Imran Khan without our approval is making themselves suspicious in front of us.”

Speaking at the same press conference, Barrister Gohar said the main issue was that Khan’s sisters were denied access to him.

“At the last meeting, Aleema Khan said if they don’t let her meet next time, she will protest outside Adiala jail,” Gohar said.

He also revealed that Khan hasn’t spoken to his sons in three months. Five lawyers, including Gohar, met Khan at the jail earlier Tuesday, and Bushra Bibi’s family was also granted access.

Gohar emphasized that court orders must be respected and said that PTI must not be politically isolated.

Meanwhile, media personnel also faced difficulties outside the jail. Several reporters were manhandled by Punjab Police, and their cell phones were confiscated.

A spokesperson for the Rawalpindi Police told Nukta that CPO Khalid Hamdani had suspended an officer involved in the altercation and had ordered SSP Operations to launch an inquiry.