December 2, 2025
By Rana Malhi
ISLAMABAD
Authorities at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail on Tuesday finally permitted Uzma Khanum, sister of imprisoned PTI leader and former prime minister Imran Khan, to meet, as party supporters gathered outside the facility.
The visit came amid simultaneous PTI protests outside the Islamabad High Court and Adiala Jail against restrictions on Khan’s visitation rights. The party has claimed that the ex-premier’s family and party leaders have been denied access to him for several weeks.
Protests demand court hearings and basic rights
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf held a large demonstration outside the Islamabad High Court, with party leaders and workers demanding that all cases against Khan be heard in the court, that he be provided basic rights in prison, and that his family and party leaders be allowed to meet him. Protesters voiced their demands loudly and criticized the government for restricting what they called the founding chairman’s legal and human rights.
Despite Section 144 being imposed by the Rawalpindi and Islamabad administrations—which prohibits meetings, processions, and gatherings—PTI proceeded with the protest. Workers converged on the High Court from different routes while authorities deployed tight security, including police, FC, and Rangers personnel. Barbed wire and barriers were installed on roads approaching the court, severely limiting access.
Roads leading to Adiala Jail were also completely sealed with containers. According to PTI leaders, this blockade aimed to prevent party leaders and workers from reaching the facility amid ongoing complaints that no one, including Khan’s family, was being allowed to visit him. The party leadership alleged that Khan has been kept in solitary confinement for more than two months with limited lawyer access.
Party leaders express concerns
PTI Sindh leader Haleem Adil Sheikh told Voicepk during the protest.
“The party is deeply concerned about Imran Khan’s health. It is his fundamental right to meet the former prime minister and the government should immediately arrange this meeting so that clear information can be obtained about his health, condition and the situation in the jail. If the right to meet is not being given, it means that the jail administration is hiding something, which has created anxiety among the workers.”
PTI leader and lawyer Naeem Haider Panjotha alleged that Khan’s cases are not being scheduled in courts as part of a deliberate delaying strategy. “Not fixing Imran Khan’s cases is against the principles of justice and this attitude is affecting the legal process,” Panjotha said. “If the former prime minister’s cases are not brought for hearing, it means that the administration is influencing these matters instead of the court.”
PTI leader Nadia Khattak echoed similar demands, stating: “The cases of the former prime minister should be scheduled for early hearing. Being a former ruler, Imran Khan’s cases should be given priority, because it is not only a matter of a political leader but also of public interest.”
Government response
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry stated that under Section 144 and a Peshawar High Court order, no political activity can be carried out using government resources, adding that various institutions have issued warnings to their subordinates accordingly.