Pakistan is witnessing rising tension as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) prepares large demonstrations in Rawalpindi and Islamabad today, sparked by persistent rumours over Imran Khan’s health and his continued inaccessibility inside Adiala Jail. The former prime minister’s family and senior PTI leaders say they have not been allowed to meet him for weeks, fuelling fears and anger across the country.
Growing protests amid claims of Imran Khan’s “disappearance”
PTI supporters have announced protests outside the Islamabad High Court and Adiala Jail. PTI leader Asad Qaiser told Dawn that lawmakers from both houses of parliament will gather outside the court before marching to the jail. “It has been decided to hold protests because IHC has failed to implement its order and the Adiala jail administration is not willing to implement the court orders,” he said.
The party’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa unit has also declared its own mobilisation at the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway Interchange, with plans to march toward Swabi. Another PTI leader quoted by Dawn said the protest could escalate to blocking the motorway and halting traffic between Islamabad and Peshawar.
These demonstrations come as PTI leaders claim Imran Khan has effectively vanished inside the prison where he is serving a 14-year sentence on corruption charges. Khan maintains that all cases against him were fabricated to remove him from politics, a charge Pakistan’s powerful military denies.
Family denied access for weeks, intensifying fears
Imran Khan’s family says they have not seen him for more than a month. His son Kasim has publicly demanded proof of life and alleged that authorities are hiding “something irreversible” about his condition. Khan’s ex-wife, Jemima Goldsmith, reinforced these concerns on X, writing, “They’re not even allowed to speak to him on the phone. No one is.”
Khan’s sisters have echoed the same worries. Aleema Khanum told NDTV, “For the last six to seven months, they have caused a lot of trouble; sometimes they let me meet him, sometimes they let one of my sisters meet him, sometimes they do not let anyone meet him. Many times, we wait outside for hours.” She has filed a contempt petition in the Islamabad High Court, stating that despite a court order allowing meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays, “the respondents did not comply with or implement the same.”
Another sister, Noreen Niazi, told ANI that the family has again been refused visits for four weeks. “We do not know anything. They are not telling us anything, nor are they letting anybody meet him,” she said. She added that even PTI leaders with scheduled appointments had been turned away.
Pakistan clamps down with Section 144
Fearful of large-scale unrest, the Pakistan government has imposed Section 144 across Rawalpindi. An order signed by Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema has restricted gatherings from December 1 to 3. The order bans all kinds of assemblies, sit-ins, rallies and protests of more than five people. Carrying weapons or any object that can be used for violence is forbidden, and objectionable or hate speech is also banned. Pillion riding and the use of loudspeakers have been restricted as well.
The administration claims there is an “imminent threat within the limits of District Rawalpindi” and that these restrictions are necessary for “public safety, security, peace, and tranquillity.”
Pakistan may allow one meeting to cool tensions
Despite remaining silent on the rumours surrounding Imran Khan’s condition, the government appears to be under increasing pressure. According to News18, jail authorities have agreed to allow one of Khan’s sisters, Uzma, and one vetted lawyer to meet him. The meeting would take place under a gag order forbidding any discussion related to social media.
This development comes as Khan’s sisters, PTI members and even Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi have been camping outside Adiala Jail. Their presence has intensified scrutiny on the Shehbaz Sharif government, which continues to face growing criticism for restricting access to the former prime minister.
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