Clashes erupt as police prevent Imran Khan's family from visiting him in jail

In Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on April 9, 2025, a tense situation unfolded outside the Adiala jail when police clashed with a group of supporters from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The clash occurred after the prison administration denied family members of PTI founder Imran Khan, specifically his sisters Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, from meeting him. The ongoing isolation of Khan's sisters continued leading to protests, where supporters expressed their outrage and demanded the release of their leader. Police responded with a baton-charge and took several individuals, including Mr. Khan's sisters, into custody to prevent further unrest. They were later relocated for safety and sent back to Lahore under police protection. Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, a PTI leader, criticized the actions of police and called the detention of Khan's family members illegal and unconstitutional. He emphasized that the right to meet a family member, particularly in light of a high court order permitting visits, was being violated. The sisters had not been allowed to see their brother for the last two times, prompting plans for a sit-in protest which contributed to the escalation of tensions with law enforcement during the protest outside the jail. Adding to the turmoil, internal disputes among PTI leaders arose regarding access to Imran Khan. Notably, despite the barring of Khan's sisters, a group of lawyers was permitted to meet him, sparking a disagreement over the fairness of the situation. Secretary General Salman Akram Raja expressed discontent over the barring of his name from the approved visitor list while allowing others, questioning the administration's decisions. The party's internal discord revealed differing opinions on strategies to respond to the unjust treatment of Imran Khan's family and implications for the party's direction. Overall, the incidents at Adiala jail reflect a complex interplay of political maneuvering, public sentiment, and legal rights within the context of Pakistan's current political landscape. PTI supporters' fervor and the leaders' internal disagreements concerning access to Imran Khan highlight ongoing challenges faced by the party amid his political struggles.