Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan’s sister allowed to meet him in Adiala Jail

PTI has been holding protests in Islamabad and Rawalpindi as the party claims family members and leaders have been denied access to Imran for weeks

The authorities at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail have allowed Uzma Khanum, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, to meet the incarcerated former prime minister.

The Dawn newspaper reported that Uzma entered the prison on Tuesday while a large number of PTI supporters gathered outside the facility.

The visit took place on a day when the party staged separate demonstrations outside the Islamabad High Court and Adiala Jail to protest restrictions on Imran’s visitation rights, it added.

The Pakistani English-language daily cited PTI leaders as saying the former premier’s family members and senior party figures had been denied access to him for several weeks.

According to the newspaper, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said no one had been permitted to meet Imran or his wife Bushra Bibi since Oct 27.

It noted that Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code had been imposed in both Islamabad and Rawalpindi ahead of the demonstrations, restricting gatherings of more than four people for a limited period.

Earlier in the day, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry told reporters in Islamabad that authorities would fully enforce Section 144 in the twin cities.

“Whether they come to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) or the Adiala jail, action under Section 144 would be carried out without any discrimination,” the Dawn quoted him.

He particularly urged PTI-backed parliamentarians to “abide by the law”.

The minister reportedly linked the matter to terrorism, saying: “Terrorists look for instances [which they can use] to spread fear and make headlines; be it [a] political gathering, courts or important places or offices.”

He said Section 144 had been put in place to “protect lives”, pointing to a recent incident in Islamabad and ongoing threats. He added that the administration was monitoring Rawalpindi closely, noting past PTI protests over access to Imran.

Chaudhry referenced the events of May 9, 2023, warning that the country “will face the consequences” if similar violence occurs again. He further said the KP chief minister had no authority to demand a meeting with Imran.

On a question about transferring Imran to a new Islamabad prison, the minister told the Dawn it was premature to comment, noting the facility was nearing completion and staff training would follow.

He also said Imran’s sons would be issued visas within 24 hours once authorities received required documents and tracking numbers.