‘No other option left besides…’: Imran Khan’s sisters take BIG action against Shahbaz Sharif, Asim Munir, continue sit-in near Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail

Pakistan’s government is increasingly facing intense scrutiny, particularly from the family of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Imran Khan’s sisters, Aleema Khan, Uzma Khanum, have taken an active role in challenging Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s government through public demonstrations and criticism. By protesting the Pakistan government’s actions toward their brother and his supporters during the current period of economic crisis, political instability, the protesters are contributing significantly to pressure being placed on the Pakistani government in Islamabad.

What prompted Imran Khan’s sisters to stage a sit-in?

After being repeatedly denied access to meet with their brother, Imran Khan, the sisters of Imran Khan have resorted to public protests against what they see as harassment and a denial of their basic human rights by the authorities. While their protests initially began as a request to meet the former PM, their ongoing protest has evolved into a long-term protest in the form of sustained demonstrations that have attracted supporters and party workers to join with them in protest close to Adiala Jail. The ongoing nature of their protests and the fact that they are taking place in full view of the public have generated a great deal of domestic and international media coverage and heightened criticism of how the government has dealt with dissent from political actors.

In yet another attempt to reunite with their brother Imran Khan, his sisters have chosen to take further action. After being allowed only a 20-minute meeting, the authorities have once again barred anyone from meeting him.

How are PTI workers supporting the sisters during the sit-in?

As a result, Imran Khan’s sisters have organized a sit-in at Factory Naka, near Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail,  with supporters of the party and other supporters. Displaying their blankets, they announced the launch of a fresh protest, signaling that they are prepared for a prolonged agitation until their demands are met.

On March 24 of this year, a court order issued by the IHC or Islamabad High Court directed that Imran be allowed visitors twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as reported by The Dawn. However, the PTI alleges that the directive is not being implemented.

Despite this court ruling, none of Imran’s three sisters (Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan, and Noreen Khan Niazi) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi were able to meet him within the last few weeks. Then last Tuesday, after being denied entry into the meeting with PTI Chairman, his three sisters, along with their party followers, staged a sit-in, which was dispersed early morning with water cannons.

On Tuesday evening, the MWM Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas reached the protest venue and held separate, one-on-one discussions with PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja. Following these talks, the MWM senator is expected to confer with Aleema, after which a decision will be taken on whether the protest will be withdrawn or carried on.

Many party staff, volunteers, and supporters are involved in the sit-in, and there is a significant presence of police officers. Pro-PTI messages were also found on petrol station walls and buildings surrounding the protest area. The number “804” appeared in some of the messages, which is believed to refer to Imran’s prison inmate number.

An additional report indicated that the lights at the protest site were switched off, forcing the PTI protestors to rely on their mobile phone flashlights while chants from the crowd grew stronger.

What demands are they making from the government and military?

Before being halted by police, Imran’s sisters marched toward the jail. While marching, Aleema spoke with a news reporter and stated, “We will sit wherever we are stopped”. When asked if she had prepared for the deployment of water cannons and long periods of sitting, she displayed the blanket on camera and indicated that she was prepared with warm clothing and a blanket.

“We have no other option left besides protesting,” she added as reported by The Dawn. “Our founder’s demand is the restoration of the Constitution, democracy and the rule of law.” While speaking to the reporters, Aleema noted this occurs every Tuesday at the same location, maintaining that she and her party supporters are not engaging in any illegal or unconstitutional activities, as Dawn reported.