Post by : Badri Ariffin

Islamabad – Protests erupted outside Adiala Jail as Aleema Khan, sister of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, accused the government of mistreating him during imprisonment. For the last eight months, families and supporters have gathered at the prison every Tuesday, yet their attempts to see Khan have been repeatedly blocked.

“We are being denied access to Imran Khan. They are subjecting him to torture and keeping him in wrongful isolation,” Aleema Khan expressed, highlighting the family's escalating fears for his physical and mental health.

The demonstration drew numerous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members who raised alarms about Khan’s well-being inside the secure facility. Authorities imposed strict security protocols to control the crowd, reflecting the sensitive political climate surrounding the ex-leader's imprisonment.

Concerns Heightened by Limited Visits

Tensions flared following a rare 20-minute visit on December 2, when Khan’s sister, Uzma Khanum, was permitted to see him for the first time in nearly a month. She stated that Khan seemed in good physical shape but was under significant “psychological pressure,” which he attributed to Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Following this visit, the government prohibited Uzma Khanum and other relatives from future meetings, citing breaches of prison protocol. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar clarified that political discussions are banned during visits, leading to the restrictions.

Prominent PTI Figures Join the Protest

Key figures from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), such as Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief Junaid Akbar Khan, participated in the demonstration, reflecting the party's discontent over the limited access granted despite court permissions for visits on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Family and supporters are calling for greater transparency regarding Khan's health, while prison authorities maintain a tight grip over the situation. This stand-off illustrates the growing friction between the ruling government and PTI supporters as scrutiny intensifies around the former prime minister's incarceration.

#Global News