The charges include attempted murder, resisting the police and causing disorder during the Adiala Road riots
Screenshot of PTI founder Imran Khan’s sisters Aleema Khan and Naureen Khan during a media talk outside Adiala Jail on Monday
RAWALPINDI:
The Rawalpindi police on Wednesday registered a case under anti-terrorism provisions against the sisters of Imran Khan, several members of the national and provincial assemblies and around 1,400 unidentified persons following unrest on Adiala Road late on Tuesday night.
According to police, the FIR was filed on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Imran Khan, in-charge of Adiala check post, and includes charges of attempted murder and resisting law enforcement.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had called for a “peaceful protest” against restrictions on meetings of its founder. However, authorities imposed Section 144 across the district, banning public gatherings for 15 days.
Despite the curbs and persistent rain in the twin cities, a large number of PTI leaders and supporters tried to reach the jail premises but were intercepted at several places by law enforcement personnel.
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Police said several people were named in the FIR, including Aleema Khan, Dr. Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi. Other nominees include MNA Shahid Khattak, MPA Meena Khan, MNA Shafqat Awan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government spokesperson Shafee Jan.
According to the complaint, protesters threw stones at the police, injuring nine people. Police said 41 suspects were arrested at the scene but later fled, while several others also escaped. Authorities added that 13 vehicles belonging to those who fled had been seized. Police said gasoline, glass bottles, cotton, matches and other materials were recovered from the vehicles.
The FIR stated that both government and private vehicles were damaged during the riots due to stone pelting and use of sticks. The police claimed that the accused was trying to create disorder for political purposes to pressurize the Punjab government.
Meanwhile, the PTI leaders condemned the police action. Core committee member Seemabia Tahir Satti said the group, including Imran Khan’s sisters, was stopped near DHA Chowk. “Law enforcement agencies had already left a nearby hotel. They arrested Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan along with several workers and shut down the hotel after detaining them,” she said.
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PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram also criticized the operation and alleged that party leaders and workers were detained and subjected to force. He claimed that protesters faced heavy shelling and baton charges while routes leading to Adiala prison were sealed.
According to him, several party members traveling from different areas were stopped at highway rest stops including Kallar Kahar and Chakri where arrests were also made. He added that at least five members of the Punjab Assembly, including Leader of the Opposition Moeen Qureshi, were taken into custody.
Special security arrangements had been put in place in Rawalpindi ahead of the protest over planned meetings with Imran. The PTI also announced a protest for April 9, marking four years since the party was ousted from power through a vote of no confidence.
Imran has been in custody since August 2023 and is serving a sentence in Adiala prison in a £190m corruption case. He also faces pending charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act in connection with the May 9, 2023 protests.
The PTI has intensified calls for his release after a medical report submitted to the Supreme Court stated that the vision in his right eye had decreased to 15 percent. However, government officials maintain that he is receiving appropriate medical care.
