RAWAPINDI: The sisters of incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan, along with senior party leaders and workers on Tuesday again staged a sit-in outside Adiala Jail following the jail authorities did not allow their meeting with Khan.
Tuesday had been designated as the visitation day for Khan’s family and legal team. However, his sisters — Aleema Khan, Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Khan — were denied meeting with the PTI’s founding chairman.
PTI’s interim chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, provincial minister Meena Khan Afridi, MNA Shahid Khattak, other party leaders and a large number of party workers joined the sit-in at Factory Naka.
The participants of sit-in chanted slogans demanding Imran Khan’s release as well as against the government.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, members of provincial assembly (MPAs) of Punjab and workers staged sit-in at Chakkari as police did not permit them to move forward to participate in the sit-in staged by Khan’s sister at Adiala jail.
Gohar while talking to reporters said that PTI leaders visit regularly but are forced to return after long waiting, as meetings are not allowed.
“It is unfortunate that meetings are not taking place. We come every week, wait, and then leave,” he said, adding that he does not know “who has convinced them that preventing meetings is a good decision.”
He stressed that allowing meetings under standard operating procedures (SOPs) would help in bringing down the political temperature. “If meetings take place, the situation will improve,” he said, noting that since February 2025 no member of the party leadership has been allowed to meet the PTI founder.
The PTI chairman also criticized the Sindh government’s conduct during Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s recent visit to Karachi. He said the party had initially thanked the Sindh government for its cooperation, but the attitude changed on the final day of the visit.
“On his return from Hyderabad, Sohail Afridi was stopped on the way,” Barrister Gohar said, alleging that although permission for a public gathering was granted initially, routes were later blocked. He added that wherever Afridi went, not even a single flowerpot was damaged nor any untoward incident occurred, and the public welcomed him peacefully and expressed their sentiments.
Gohar clarified that neither the PTI founding chairman nor Bushra Bibi’s family had ever been discussed in parliamentary party meetings. He said the agenda of the recent meetings was strictly parliamentary, with most discussion focused on the notification of the opposition leader.
He said the seat of opposition leaders in the national assembly had remained vacant since August. “All opposition parties have unanimously nominated Mahammad Khan Achakzai,” he said, adding the process had been completed and he hoped the notification would be issued by Thursday.
The PTI interim chairman said that issue of terrorism should not be politicized and called for full implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP). “Terrorism is a menace, and there should be no soft corner for terrorists in anyone’s heart,” he said.
Gohar stressed the need to take the KP Assembly on board regarding counterterrorism efforts, noting that 21 parties have submitted written proposals to the federal government on the issue.
He said that PTI would observe a shutter-down and wheel-jam strike on February 8. “Our protest will be peaceful and civilized. On February 8, the people will come out for the rule of law and their rights,” he said.
Responding to a question regarding internal party matters, he said Salman Akram Raja had already clarified his statement regarding him. “I have said this repeatedly: if Khan asks me, I will resign immediately and go home,” answering another question.
Khan’s sister, PTI leaders and workers continued the sit-in till filing of this report.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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