Pakistani police have registered a case under anti-terrorism laws against the sisters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with members of national and provincial assemblies, and about 1,400 unidentified individuals. The case stems from disturbances on Adiala Road in Rawalpindi, with charges including attempted murder and obstructing law enforcement.
Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party had organized a “peaceful protest” against restrictions on visiting Khan, who was incarcerated in Adiala Jail. Despite this, authorities imposed Section 144 across the district, prohibiting public gatherings for 15 days.
Law enforcement agencies reportedly dispersed the protest outside the jail by detaining party leaders and workers, including Khan’s sisters, amidst broader restrictions in Rawalpindi. The complaint noted that protesters attacked police with stones, resulting in injuries to nine officers.
The filed report mentioned damage to government and private vehicles during the unrest, attributed to stone-throwing and the use of sticks. Police alleged that the accused aimed to sow chaos for political leverage against the provincial government in Punjab.
A prominent international human rights organization criticized the detention of PTI supporters protesting outside Adiala jail, labeling it as “unlawful” and part of a broader suppression of the right to protest in Pakistan. Amnesty International highlighted the detention of Khan’s sisters and other protesters during court-mandated family visits, emphasizing the need for authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly and access to family visits for Khan.
In recent months, PTI has staged sit-ins outside Adiala jail on designated days for meeting Khan, facing ongoing restrictions in family visits and interactions with party members.
