Imran Khan’s sisters demand a probe after alleging a 'brutal' police assault. [Photo: X]
Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s three sisters have demanded an impartial investigation into what they described as a “brutal” police assault on them and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters outside Adiala Jail.
The incident took place last week after the authorities denied them permission to meet Imran Khan for more than a month. Imran Khan, who leads PTI, has been lodged in Adiala Jail since August 2023 in several cases.
The three sisters — Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan and Dr Uzma Khan — filed a formal complaint with Punjab Inspector General of Police Usman Anwar. They alleged that police personnel manhandled them and “violently detained” peaceful protesters gathered outside the Rawalpindi jail.
According to The Dawn, the sisters had been camping outside Adiala Jail along with PTI supporters after repeated requests to meet Imran Khan were rejected. The party said they were “sitting peacefully” when the police action began.
In their letter, the sisters said they had been denied access to Khan for weeks. They stated that their protest was lawful and aimed at drawing attention to concerns over the former PM’s health. “We peacefully protested over concerns for his health condition. We neither blocked roads nor obstructed public movement, nor engaged in any unlawful conduct,” Noreen said.
She further claimed that “the streetlights in the area were abruptly switched off, deliberately casting the scene into darkness. What followed was a brutal and orchestrated assault by Punjab police personnel.”
Noreen alleged that despite her age, she was “seized by my hair, thrown violently to the ground, and dragged across the road, sustaining injuries”. The sisters demanded that the Punjab IGP take immediate action against all personnel involved.
PTI leaders say the government has imposed an undeclared ban on meetings with Khan for more than a month. Even Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was not allowed to meet him.
Afridi reportedly attempted to visit Khan seven times, but jail authorities turned him away. PTI claims that an army officer controls the access to Khan. The party insists that the restrictions violate basic rights and raise concerns about Khan’s well-being in custody.
The alleged assault has sparked strong criticism from PTI, which claims the incident reflects growing political repression. PTI leaders say the treatment of Imran Khan’s family shows the “deepening crackdown” on the party and its supporters.
Human rights organisations may now increase pressure on Islamabad as the assault allegations gain wider attention. Observers say the incident could further strain Pakistan’s political climate and attract scrutiny from global watchdogs tracking political freedoms and custodial rights in the country.
