Rawalpindi, April 8, 2025: Tensions flared outside Adiala Jail on Tuesday as a confrontation between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters and police led to multiple arrests and a brief but intense standoff.
The clash occurred at the Gorakhpur checkpoint where PTI workers had assembled to protest after being denied permission to meet jailed party founder Imran Khan. Chanting slogans and demanding access for the former premier’s family, the protest escalated when police resorted to baton charges to disperse the crowd. In retaliation, some protesters hurled stones at law enforcement officers.
Several PTI leaders and workers were arrested during the altercation. According to sources, those detained included Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan—Imran Khan’s sisters—as well as PTI leader Aliya Hamza and Sahibzada Hamid Raza.
The tense situation eased only after Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, intervened and assured police of cooperation.
The confrontation stemmed from repeated denials of visitation rights for Imran Khan’s family. His sisters, Aleema and Uzma, had arrived at Adiala Jail to meet him, but were barred from entry by authorities. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan condemned the arrests, calling them “illegal and unconstitutional.”
“There are no court orders that restrict family meetings under such conditions,” Gohar stated. “We did not incite violence or organize a protest. Our presence was peaceful, in solidarity with the family.”
Aleema Khan, speaking to reporters, expressed deep frustration over the situation, saying:
“We’ve been denied visitation for three consecutive weeks. Today again, we are told we can’t meet our brother. Why are the authorities so nervous? It’s just family here—no one else.”
She further alleged that jail authorities were enforcing selective rules, citing previous instances where government officials, such as KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, were allowed to meet Imran despite restrictions.
Sources revealed that after being taken into custody, the detained individuals were stopped near Adiala Jail but not transported to a police station. Reportedly, police officials told them to “go back home.” However, Aleema Khan and Aliya Hamza refused, asserting, “If we’ve been taken into custody, then take us to a police station—don’t abandon us halfway.”
The unusual handling of the detentions raised further questions about procedural transparency and alleged attempts to avoid formal arrest documentation.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had previously reinstated bi-weekly meetings—on Tuesdays and Thursdays—between Imran Khan and approved visitors, including family members. The court also imposed a strict media gag on any statements made post-meeting and mandated that only individuals listed by PTI’s coordinator, Salman Akram Raja, could meet the former premier.
Despite the ruling, Aleema claimed family members were repeatedly denied access, including on March 27 and April 1—the latter being a gazetted holiday. She questioned why political figures were granted access while the family continued to be blocked, calling the enforcement discriminatory.
“Are gazetted holiday restrictions only for family?” she asked in a post on X. “Imran is even being denied communication with his sons.”
