Women, elderly among those hit by chemical-laced water cannons
Water cannons were once again used in the early hours of Wednesday to disperse Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters staging a sit-in near Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, as tensions escalated following the continued denial of a court-mandated family meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan.
Sit-In Over Denied Jail Meeting
Imran Khan’s sisters, PTI leaders, workers, and supporters had gathered at Factory Naka, near Adiala Jail, demanding enforcement of an Islamabad High Court (IHC) order issued on March 24, which allows meetings with Imran Khan twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
PTI maintains that despite the clear judicial directive, authorities have systematically ignored the order, forcing the family and party supporters to protest.
Late-Night Operation and Arrests
Police launched an operation around 2am, initially using water cannon vehicles to disperse protesters. When some participants remained at the site, police resorted to baton charges, leading to multiple arrests, although the exact number could not be confirmed.
This marked the second consecutive week that water cannons were used against PTI protesters after Imran Khan’s sisters were denied access to him.
Allegations of Chemical-Laced Water
PTI leaders and legal representatives alleged that chemical-mixed water was used during the operation. Videos shared by the party showed drenched protesters complaining of burning eyes and chest irritation, while Aleema Khan, visibly soaked, stated that the water caused severe burning on her skin.
PTI lawyer Naeem Panjutha said several workers fell during the operation and others were forcibly arrested, calling the police action “deliberate brutality.”
Condemnation From Party and Allies
Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, who remained at the protest site until late Tuesday night, strongly condemned the treatment of peaceful protesters.
In a statement issued on social media, PTI’s central information department denounced what it called the “blatant disregard of the IHC order” and described the police action as “extreme state brutality.”
“These actions are not administrative failures—they are a direct assault on the Constitution, the rule of law, and the authority of the judiciary,” the statement said, adding that the willful defiance of court orders has effectively become government policy.
‘No Option Left Except Protest’
Speaking to reporters during the sit-in, Aleema Khan said the family had no alternative but to protest, stressing that the demonstration was peaceful and constitutional.
“Our founder’s demand is simple—the restoration of the Constitution, democracy, and the rule of law,” she said, adding that Imran Khan has repeatedly described mental torture as worse than physical abuse during his incarceration.
She also dismissed government claims about political discussions during jail meetings, demanding clarity on what rules were allegedly violated.
Imran Khan’s Detention Under Scrutiny
Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 and is currently serving a sentence in the £190 million corruption case, while also facing pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to May 9 protests.
PTI has consistently raised concerns about his solitary confinement and mental well-being. A UN Special Rapporteur recently warned that his detention conditions could amount to inhuman or degrading treatment, urging Pakistan to comply with international standards.
Despite official assurances, PTI leaders insist that the repeated denial of meetings and the use of force against peaceful protesters reflect a deepening crisis of constitutional governance.
As police action intensifies and court orders remain unenforced, the confrontation outside Adiala Jail continues to raise serious questions about civil liberties, judicial authority, and the shrinking space for political dissent in Pakistan.