Rawalpindi: Police in Rawalpindi briefly detained Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan’s sisters and several party leaders on Thursday as they attempted to meet the former Prime Minister at Adiala Jail. They were released after a short period and later traveled via Chakri towards the motorway, where they regrouped at a hotel.
According to reports, Imran Khan's three sisters — Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan, and Noreen Khan — had arrived at Adiala Jail to meet their brother when they were taken into custody by police. Also detained were Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmed Khan Bachhar, Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Imran Khan’s focal person Qasim Niazi.
The PTI leaders were stopped at a police checkpoint near the jail, where a heated exchange reportedly took place before the police presented arrest warrants for seven individuals, including Imran Khan’s sisters and several other party figures.
The detained individuals were taken into custody and placed in a prisoner transport van. However, they were all released shortly after. The group then departed from the Chakri side towards the motorway and later had a meal together at a local hotel.
Speaking to the media, Omar Ayub stated that he was intercepted at Gorakhpur and had to reach another checkpoint via motorbike, passing through several villages. He criticized the police's actions, questioning how state authorities could stop an opposition leader. “This is a matter of concern for the judiciary,” he said, urging the courts to assert their authority. “What harm would it do if we met our leader?”
Ayub clarified that the purpose of the visit was to discuss party and political matters with Imran Khan. “People chosen by the chairman are not allowed to meet him,” he added.
Sahibzada Hamid Raza also condemned the authorities’ actions, saying, “We are left with no option but to call for a peaceful gathering here. The larger bench has issued a decision. Even the Chief Justice permitted Salman Safdar’s meeting with Khan, but it was still denied.”
He added that this treatment towards a former Prime Minister, and a national figure, raises serious concerns. “There is growing unease within the party regarding who is allowed to meet Khan,” he said, alleging that lists sent by lawyer Salman Akram Raja are disregarded in favor of other visitors.
“There is a common perception that some individuals are compromised,” Raza remarked, adding, “I curse such compromises.”
This incident follows a similar episode on April 8, when Imran Khan’s family members were also stopped outside Adiala Jail and protested after being denied a meeting. They too were briefly detained at the Gorakhpur checkpoint and released shortly afterward.
