The sisters of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan on Tuesday deserted their sit-in close to Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail and headed to Islamabad for a protest rally.
Sit-ins a brief distance away from the jail on Tuesdays and Thursdays by PTI employees and supporters, in addition to Imran’s sisters, have change into a normal prevalence as the previous premier’s household continues to be restricted from assembly the ex-premier.
A courtroom order issued by the Islamabad Excessive Court docket (IHC) on March 24, 2025 mandated that conferences with Imran could be permitted twice per week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Regardless of the IHC’s order, Imran’s sisters — Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Khan Niazi — together with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, have tried and failed to fulfill Imran.
On Tuesday, the get together and Imran’s sisters had staged a sit-in close to Adiala jail after once more being denied a gathering with the incarcerated prime minister.
Nonetheless, on Tuesday night time, the get together’s media coordinators informed Daybreak that the sisters all of a sudden ended the demonstration and have been making their solution to Murree Highway to stage a protest rally. They added that there was no particular plan and that it was the sisters’ resolution.
“Right now, Chairman Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi weren’t granted a gathering with the household. Khan Sahib’s sisters and get together employees have set off for a protest rally in Islamabad,” the PTI stated in a publish on X.
One other video posted by the get together confirmed Aleema and several other PTI employees chanting slogans as they marched on the streets of Rawalpindi.
The PTI employees and leaders moved in the direction of Islamabad regardless of the deployment of police and different regulation enforcement companies.
Aleema, whereas speaking to media individuals, stated that the protesters had determined to march in the direction of Islamabad as authorities weren’t permitting the household to fulfill Imran.
She claimed that the “powers that be” have been frightened of simply 2,000 to three,000 folks. “What’s going to occur if 10,000 folks attain right here and begin marching in the direction of Islamabad?” she requested.
The event got here as stories emerged of authorities rounding up and arresting PTI employees from the sit-in.
Sit-in close to Adiala jail
Earlier within the day, the PTI leaders have been stopped at DHA Naka as a substitute of Manufacturing unit Chowk close to Adiala jail in Rawalpindi. Imran’s sisters and get together leaders held a Quran khwani on the website throughout the day, however have been later allowed to maneuver just a little additional.
Chatting with reporters, Uzma stated that originally, the route was blocked, forcing her and her sisters to traverse a dust highway. She added that the demonstrators determined they might maintain a Quran khwani wherever the police cease them.
Uzma added that on February 8 — when the PTI and opposition events have known as for a nationwide wheel-jam strike — the entire of Pakistan “can be jammed”.
“Sohail Afridi has been skilled by Imran Khan and he’s following his instructions,” she stated. “It’s [because of the] coaching of Imran Khan that employees are holding a peaceable protest,” she stated.
Uzma alleged that Imran’s opposition to navy operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was why he was imprisoned.
“Nonetheless, they’ve acquired instructions from overseas to carry navy operation so it’s being performed,” she claimed.
She additional stated that the courtroom was helpless and unable to supply justice to politicians, alleging that police demanded bribes from PTI supporters outdoors Adiala jail.
“For the reason that Might 9 incident, police entered houses and demanded cash from PTI supporters,” she claimed. Uzma additionally urged the general public to fly kites emblazoned with Imran’s title and movie on them on Feb 8, when Basant can be celebrated in Lahore.
Aleema, in the meantime, informed reporters that the jail superintendent was not permitting them to get the vakalatnama (energy of lawyer) signed.
Replying to a different query, Aleema stated that the demonstrators wished Imran’s launch as a substitute of conferences.
Shafiullah Jan, the adviser to the KP chief minister on info, stated that previously, PTI employees could be stopped by police three kilometers from the jail, however on Tuesday they have been stopped 8 km away from the premises.
“The people who find themselves dedicated to the PTI … to the road motion … are current right here,” he stated.
Jan said that conferences with household and get together leaders have been allowed on Tuesdays and Thursdays as per the courtroom order however the orders weren’t being carried out.
Jan additional stated that KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was taking all doable steps to handle the problems of the province, regardless of the opposition.
“There have been some individuals who launched a marketing campaign in opposition to him, which has since died,” he stated. “The best way he’s main the road motion, how he’s governing KP… he visits the displaced individuals’ camp ceaselessly and personally screens preparations,” he stated.
PTI Islamabad President Amir Mughal stated that Imran was going through jail only for the plenty and youth.
“I urge [the] plenty to come back out of their homes and maintain protests,” he stated. He famous that he was going through 60 first info stories however nonetheless managed to succeed in Adiala jail each Tuesday.
“We are going to shut the entire nation on February 8,” he continued. “Sohail Afridi, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas are chosen by Imran Khan and we’ll assist them. All of them are resisting.”
Imran, Imprisoned Since August 2023, is serving a sentence on the Adiala Jail in a £190 million corruption case and in addition faces pending trials below the Anti-Terrorism Act associated to the protests of Might 9, 2023.
Earlier in December, a United Nations particular rapporteur warned that Imran was being held in situations that would quantity to inhuman or degrading therapy and known as on Pakistani authorities to adjust to worldwide norms and requirements.
