A tense standoff near Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail escalated overnight as police used water cannons to disperse a sit-in protest led by the sisters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, claims Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

The protest erupted on Tuesday after authorities refused to let the sisters, Noor, Aleema (also spelled Alima), and Uzma Khan, meet Khan, who has been imprisoned for nearly two years.

The sisters reportedly stopped at barricades around 3:30 PM Tuesday despite a court order allowing visits, protested with PTI leaders and supporters, alleging mental torture, isolation, and denial of basic facilities.

Police enforced visiting hours and arrested several PTI workers amid stone-pelting clashes. PTI condemned the crackdown as a rights violation in cold weather, while authorities aimed to restore order near the jail.

Escalation and Police Response

Tensions peaked late Tuesday when additional police, prison vans, and water cannons deployed around Factory Naka checkpoint near Adiala Jail, where lights were cut at 2 AM to aid dispersal. PTI workers reportedly retaliated by throwing stones, leading to arrests as reported by eyewitnesses and local media.

The sit-in, led by Aleema Khan alongside PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, drew crowds chanting anti-government slogans despite heavy barricades.​

Authorities justified the action to maintain law and order, with prior denials linked to strict protocols; jail officials insist Imran Khan remains in good health. PTI highlighted a court ruling permitting family meetings, calling the water cannon use a breach of assembly rights in freezing conditions, as shown in videos of protesters fleeing.

Family Allegations and PTI Stance

Aleema Khan urged calm, calling police “our brothers” under pressure due to women protesters, but accused officials of blocking visits for over a month, terming it “mental torture” with no political talk in prior meets, as per media sources.

Supporters claim Khan endures near-solitary confinement without basics, fuelling unrest; this follows repeated denials, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s eighth failed attempt last week.​

The family has filed contempt petitions against jail superintendent for defying Islamabad High Court orders since March, blocking kin, lawyers, and leaders. Earlier incidents involved physical assaults on supporters, prompting complaints to Punjab police chief.

Broader Context of Protests

Imran Khan’s incarceration since 2023 on multiple charges has sparked ongoing PTI demonstrations demanding transparency on his conditions. Recent sit-ins, like one by Afridi, precede this event, with police monitoring to prevent escalation amid Pakistan’s political friction. PTI raids post-dispersal targeted leaders, heightening fears of crackdowns.​

Media coverage, including NDTV footage, tracks rising unrest, with PTI posting evidence online to rally support. Jail side maintains protocols, but repeated family blocks intensify debates on political prisoners’ rights.​

​Who is Imran Khan

Imran Khan, born in 1952 in Lahore, is a former Pakistani cricketer turned politician who captained Pakistan to its 1992 World Cup victory, earning national hero status. He founded the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in 1996, rising to prominence with anti-corruption campaigns.

Elected Prime Minister in 2018, his tenure focused on welfare reforms but faced economic woes and opposition. Ousted via a no-confidence vote in 2022, he remains PTI’s influential leader, drawing massive youth support amid claims of popularity.​

Why is Imran Khan Arrested

Imran Khan has been jailed since August 2023 on multiple charges, including corruption, leaking state secrets, and inciting violence. Key cases involve Toshakhana gifts allegedly sold illegally and a cipher document mishandled post-ouster.

Courts convicted him in several trials, with sentences up to 14 years, though some were suspended on appeal. PTI alleges politically motivated arrests to sideline him before elections, claiming over 180 cases filed since 2022. He faces nearly two years in Adiala Jail, fuelling protests over isolation claims.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

This clash reveals deep rifts where force overshadows dialogue, risking further division in an already tense society. Upholding court orders, ensuring family access, and treating detainees humanely build trust, while empathy for security challenges faced by police promotes coexistence. The Logical Indian urges peaceful negotiations over confrontations to safeguard rights and harmony for all.