Pakistan police use water cannons on Imran Khan’s sisters at prison protest

Pakistani police cleared a sit-in staged by supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan near Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail early Wednesday after launching a pre-dawn operation.

The operation began around 2 a.m. as police moved to disperse protesters who had gathered at Factory Naka in the garrison city. During the action, demonstrators resorted to stone-pelting and chanted slogans.

The sit-in was staged by Imran Khan’s sisters, party workers and supporters, who were demanding a court-mandated meeting with the PTI founder.

An order issued by the Islamabad High Court on March 24 mandates that meetings with Imran be permitted twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The PTI says the order has not been implemented.

Despite the court order, Imran’s sisters — Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Khan Niazi — along with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, have been unable to meet him over the past several weeks.

Last Tuesday, after being denied a meeting, Imran’s sisters and party supporters staged a sit-in that was later dispersed using water cannons.

On Wednesday, police deployed personnel equipped with anti-riot gear at the protest site. A water cannon was also brought to the venue. Senator Allama Nasir Abbas and Salman Akram were present at the sit-in.

Police said the operation was successful after protesters were pushed back. The use of water cannons continued, and arrests were initiated, including of activists hiding in nearby streets.

Police tracked down Aleema Khan, Samabia Tahir and Tabish Farooq from a nearby street. Abdul Salam Afridi and Tanveer Aslam Raja were also accompanying Aleema Khan.

Aleema Khan, Allama Nasir Abbas and other protesters were pushed back beyond the Gorakhpur area. No major political figure was arrested during the operation.

Protesters continued chanting slogans at the Gorakhpur checkpoint before beginning to disperse. Aleema Khan, Raja Nasir and other party workers and leaders later left for their homes.

Fourteen activists arrested

The sit-in operation was formally concluded. Fourteen activists were arrested, while Fatahullah Barki and Tanveer Aslam Raja were released.

All barricades on Adiala Road were removed, and police contingents returned to the police lines.

PTI condemns 'extreme state brutality'

In a post on social media platform X, the PTI’s central information department condemned what it described as disregard for the Islamabad High Court order and “extreme state brutality” outside Adiala jail.

“These actions are not merely administrative failures; they constitute a direct assault on the Constitution, the rule of law, and the authority of the judiciary,” the party said, adding that willful defiance of judicial orders had become official government policy.

The PTI accused Punjab police of launching an assault using chemical-laced water cannons against Imran Khan’s sisters, party leaders, workers and peaceful sit-in participants, saying there was no emergency or legal justification.

The party said women, elderly individuals and peaceful protesters were subjected to force and arrests, calling the actions political victimization.

It said such measures reflected panic and insecurity and warned that those responsible would eventually be held accountable.