Speculation surrounding the fate of former Prime Minister Imran Khan has intensified in Pakistan following a violent confrontation involving his sisters and law enforcement. Reports indicate that while seeking to meet their brother, Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan, and Dr. Uzma Khan were allegedly assaulted by police near Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan is currently incarcerated.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party asserts that the sisters were engaged in a peaceful protest, expressing concerns about Khan’s health, when police intervened. Noreen Niazi described a chaotic scene, stating that police violently seized her, dragged her across the ground, and inflicted injuries upon her without provocation. Her distress was echoed by many on social media, especially as claims emerged suggesting that Khan had been killed within the prison, although these assertions remain unverified.
During their protest, thousands of PTI supporters rallied outside Adiala Jail voicing their opposition to Khan’s detention and the treatment of his family. Noreen accused authorities of using excessive force against women at the scene and criticized the police’s actions as part of a broader, troubling trend of aggressive policing towards peaceful protests in the country over the past three years. She labeled the police conduct as criminal and a significant violation of their responsibilities in a democratic society.
This event unfolds against the backdrop of a month-long ban imposed on visitation rights for Khan, who has faced multiple legal challenges since his imprisonment in August 2023. Notably, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s chief minister, Sohail Afridi, has made several unsuccessful attempts to visit Khan, further highlighting the restrictions surrounding his detention.
The situation continues to raise alarms, reflecting ongoing tensions between the government and political opposition. As concerns grow over the treatment of political figures and their families, the public’s demand for transparency and accountability remains fervent.