PTI sit-in outside Adiala Jail dispersed by police

ISLAMABAD: A prolonged sit-in staged outside Adiala Jail by the incarcerated PTI founding chairman Imran Khan’s sisters, senior party leaders and workers ended early Wednesday after police launched a crackdown and used water cannons to disperse the protesters.

Imran Khan’s sisters — Aleema Khan, Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Khan — along with PTI’s interim chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, provincial president Junaid Akbar, parliamentary leader Shahid Khattak, Asad Qaiser and a large number of party supporters gathered at Factory Naka after being stopped from proceeding towards the jail. Khan’s sisters, PTI leaders, and workers staged a sit-in after authorities refused to allow a scheduled meeting with Imran Khan despite directives issued by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

In the early hours of Wednesday, police moved in to disperse the protestors using water cannons. Following the heavy use of water jets, participants — including Khan’s sisters — vacated the area, bringing the sit-in to an end. MNA Shahid Khattak sustained a leg fracture during the police action.

Former senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan also arrived at the site to express solidarity with the PTI founder’s family. Amid the crackdown, he accompanied Khan’s sisters on foot towards Gorakhpur.

After the protest dispersed, Aleema Khan announced that family members and party workers would return next Tuesday to resume their demonstration. Throughout the operation, PTI workers continued chanting slogans demanding permission to meet the former prime minister.

According to officials, SHOs from 20 police stations, eight DSPs and two SPs were assigned for security duties in the surrounding areas. Additionally, six lady inspectors and 48 female commandos were deployed. Heavy police contingents were deployed at Dahgal checkpoint, Gate No. 1, Gate No. 5, Factory checkpoint, and Gorakhpur.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025