Section 144 enforced across twin cities as PTI mobilises amid denied meetings
Visitation restored after 29 days as tensions rise over repeated denial orders
Access Granted After Repeated Refusals
Adiala Jail authorities on Tuesday finally permitted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to meet his sister Uzma Khanum, following weeks of visitation denials despite binding Islamabad High Court (IHC) directions. Uzma arrived at the facility in a special vehicle and was allowed entry through Gate Number 5, with the meeting currently underway.
The administration, however, restricted access to only one visitor, turning away Imran’s other sisters—Aleema Khanum and Noreen Niazi—as well as party leaders including Barrister Salman Akram Raja, despite it being the officially designated meeting day for Imran and Bushra Bibi.
Section 144 in Twin Cities Amid PTI’s Mobilisation
The Islamabad Capital Territory and Rawalpindi district administrations enforced Section 144 on Monday as PTI announced protests outside Adiala Jail and the IHC.
In a show of defiance, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi instructed all provincial assembly members to immediately leave for Islamabad, declaring that the lawmakers would join demonstrations planned for Tuesday.
Afridi, who has been denied visitation eight times, questioned what “constitutional or legal option” remained. He further alleged that Imran’s family—particularly his sisters—had previously been “humiliated” at checkpoints. “This is being done to break the founder,” he said, adding that Bushra Bibi was also being targeted.
PTI Alleges ‘Systematic Isolation’
PTI leaders condemned the administration’s refusal to allow even brief non-political meetings related to Imran’s health. They termed the restrictions a “policy of political punishment,” claiming that even legal counsel and immediate family had been blocked for nearly a month.
They also criticised what they said was selective leniency in past cases, alleging that political opponents had enjoyed “dozens of visitors” during incarceration in the same prison.
Aleema Khan Moves Contempt Petition
In response to the continued denials, Aleema Khan filed a contempt of court petition at the IHC, arguing that Adiala Jail authorities were openly violating judicial directives that grant scheduled visitation rights.
The petition lists:
- Adiala Jail Superintendent Abdul Ghafoor Anjum
- Saddar Beroni SHO Raja Aizaz Azeem
- Federal Interior Secretary Capt (retd) Khurram Agha
- Punjab Home Secretary Noorul Amin
Earlier in the day, CM Afridi and Aleema visited the IHC seeking to speak with the chief justice but were told he was unavailable—fueling further frustration within PTI ranks.