Imran’s sisters, PTI leaders, booked in terror case over Adiala protest

A terror case has been registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan’s sisters, senior party figures and 400 others for staging sit-in outside Adiala jail.

The FIR, lodged at the Saddar Bairuni police station in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, invokes Sections 7 and 21(I) of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997 and the Pakistan Penal Code. Police said the protesters had staged a sit-in on Kacheri Road near the jail despite restrictions on public gatherings imposed under Section 144.

According to the FIR, the case names Imran Khan’s sisters Aleema Khan, Dr. Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi along with PTI leaders, Qasim Khan, Salman Akram Raja and Aliya Hamza. Other nominees include Naeem Panjutha, Tabish Farooq, Tayyaba Raja, Nadia Khattak, Haroon, Raja Asad Abbas, Zafar Gondal and Shafqat Abbas. A total of 35 suspects have been named and around 400 unidentified people mentioned in the report.

The police also added Sections 324, 120B, 147, 109, 286, 149, 440, 285, 188, 341, 353 and 186 of the PPC in the FIR along with the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act. The officers added that 14 suspects were arrested at the scene and later produced before an anti-terrorism court.

The FIR alleges that petrol bombs were used against law enforcement personnel during the sit-in. Police said further investigations are underway and more arrests are expected once the remaining suspects are identified.

Earlier on Wednesday, police dispersed the protesters near Factory Checkpost and Adiala Jail after clashes broke out. Anti-riot units and water cannons filled with cold water mixed with chemicals were deployed to clear the area.

Imran Khan’s sisters Aleema, Noreen and Dr. Uzma, along with senior PTI leaders, had reached the jail on Tuesday for a scheduled family meeting. Officials had tightened security at the jail, deploying additional contingents and installing barricades across key entry points, including Gate No. 5, the Gorakhpur entrance and the Factory Checkpost.

Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Aleema were caught in water cannon spray late Tuesday night as police tried to disperse the crowd. Several protesters who sought shelter in the side streets were arrested, while some protesters reportedly responded with stone-throwing.

Read: Police use water cannons to disperse protests near Adiala prison

Authorities later said Adiala Road had been cleared, barriers removed and normal traffic restored, confirming that the operation had ended and the protesters had dispersed.

Speaking to reporters, Aleema said Khan’s demands centered on constitutionalism. “The demand of the founder is the restoration of the constitution, democracy and the rule of law,” she said, adding that Khan had been imprisoned for more than two and a half years.

She questioned repeated restrictions on family visits. “The government should tell us why the family of PTI founder is not allowed to meet him?” she added.

The proper bodies condemn the incident

The Human Rights Council of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned an incident in which the turban of prominent religious scholar Allama Raja Nasir Abbas was thrown off by a high-pressure water cannon while he was standing peacefully outside Adiala Jail.

The HRCP called the act a violation of religious dignity, freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly, calling for accountability for those involved and calling on the authorities to protect religious figures, women and peaceful protesters.

Amnesty International South Asia also raised concerns about the safety of peaceful protesters and alleged non-compliance with court directives. It highlighted Khan’s lengthy solitary confinement and said the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture had labeled similar detention conditions illegal and psychologically damaging.

The rights group further said the denial of family meetings and legal advice violated Pakistan’s international obligations, including the ICCPR, and contradicted the Mandela Rules, which prohibit the use of family contact restrictions as punishment.

It added that the authorities’ repeated use of high-pressure water cannons against peaceful protesters outside Adiala Prison constitutes a clear violation of their right to peaceful assembly. Such actions undermine the fundamental freedoms guaranteed to citizens.

The statement called on the authorities to respect the people’s right to peacefully protest without fear of excessive or punitive measures. The disproportionate use of force not only frightens protesters, but also threatens the democratic principles of freedom of speech and assembly.

Imran Khan’s sons plan Pakistan visit

Meanwhile, Imran Khan’s son Qasim Khan has said that he and his brother Sulaiman plan to visit Pakistan in January after applying for visas.

Speaking to British broadcaster Sky News, Qasim said the brothers expected their applications to be processed soon. Their remarks come amid complaints by Khan’s sisters that they were again denied access to him in Adiala jail. The PTI also alleged the use of chemically mixed water during the police action.

Qasim rejected suggestions that he would urge his father to consider a deal for his release. “This is his life. This is really his passion and his purpose,” he said. “Imran Khan says ridding Pakistan of corruption is his life’s mission.”