Police intercept Imran’s sisters seeking to meet him in Adiala

RAWALPINDI: High drama unfolded near Adiala Jail on Tuesday as the sisters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan were prevented by a heavy police contingent from proceeding to a scheduled meeting with their incarcerated brother.

The confrontation, which took place at Factory Naka, some distance from the jail, saw heated words and defiant statements, underscoring the persistent tensions surrounding the former prime minister’s imprisonment.

On what was a designated day for family visits, Imran Khan’s three sisters, Aleema Khan, Noreen Khan and Dr. Uzma Khan, found their path blocked by authorities.

Forced to continue on foot in the sweltering heat, the sisters’ frustration was palpable as they addressed the media present at the scene.

In a fiery impromptu press conference, Aleema Khan directly challenged the authorities, suggesting the move was a deliberate attempt at intimidation. “We walked here in this intense heat and scorching weather,” she declared.

“This might be Maryam Nawaz’s hobby; she thinks doing this will discourage us. If the PTI founder can unjustly serve jail time in this heat, then we can also stand by him and sit in this heat,” Aleema added.

Her voice ringing with defiance, Khan vowed that such tactics would not break their resolve.

“They won’t be able to scare or exhaust us. God is with us,” she asserted, gesturing towards the significant police deployment.

“They are afraid, that’s why they’ve set up three separate checkpoints—three checkpoints for three women. We proudly say that so much police was deployed just for us. They are afraid of elderly women, just imagine how scared they must be.”

Khan criticized the arbitrary nature of the visitation rights, stating, “They allow visits for a couple of days and then stop them again.

No matter how many obstacles they place, we will keep coming.” She emphasized their right to protest, asking, “At this age, walking in such heat doesn’t affect us. It is our constitutional right to protest. If we don’t protest against injustice, then what should we do?”

Directly addressing the police officers on duty, Aleema Khan accused them of acting on political orders.

“You are Maryam Nawaz’s police,” she charged. “You’re committing atrocities against women because of her.”

Following the tense standoff, there was a partial resolution.

Authorities later granted permission for two of the sisters, Noreen Khan and Dr. Uzma Khan, to proceed with the visit and meet with Imran Khan inside Adiala Jail, while Aleema Khan was reportedly denied access.