The sister of jailed former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan was allowed a rare visit on Tuesday, nearly a month after she last saw him, as tensions over restrictions on family access fueled protests in the capital.
Dr. Uzma Khan met her brother for 20 minutes at Adiala Jail, breaking a weeks-long period during which Khan’s family and party officials were barred from contact despite court orders mandating regular visits. His sisters had last seen him on November 4 and the prolonged denial of access had sparked widespread concern and social media rumors about his wellbeing.
She dismissed rumors about his health, telling reporters: “Imran Khan’s health is perfectly fine but he was very angry. He said he had no contact with anyone and has not been allowed to meet anyone. He said they are putting him under mental torture.”
Protests and heightened security
Supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party gathered in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Tuesday, demanding access to the former premier. PTI workers assembled early outside the Islamabad High Court and Adiala Jail. Authorities imposed Section 144 bans on public gatherings, blocked major roads with containers, deployed heavy police contingents, and restricted traffic in key areas.
PTI chairperson Barrister Gohar Ali Khan called for peaceful demonstrations, emphasizing that the protests were focused on ensuring basic rights and family access.
Weeks of denied visits and rising tensions
Tensions escalated after repeated refusals to allow court-ordered visits. Last week, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was denied a meeting with Khan for the eighth time, prompting a sit-in outside the jail. Khan’s sisters, including Dr. Uzma and Aleema Khan, filed a contempt petition alleging authorities ignored court orders allowing biweekly visits.
The situation sparked outrage after a peaceful vigil turned confrontational. Several women, including 71-year-old Noreen Niazi, reported being pushed and manhandled by police. Videos of the incident circulated widely on social media, amplifying public anger.
The visit by Dr. Uzma Khan offered a rare glimpse inside Adiala Jail. The meeting, closely monitored by authorities, provided a temporary relief to Khan’s family and supporters but raised questions about ongoing restrictions on communication and visits.
Comments
See what people are discussing