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January 23, 2026
Imran’s Sisters Abandon Sit-in near Adiala, Head to Islamabad for Protest Rally
The sisters of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan on Tuesday abandoned their sit-in near Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail and headed to Islamabad for a protest rally.
Sit-ins a short distance away from the prison on Tuesdays and Thursdays by PTI workers and supporters, as well as Imran’s sisters, have become a usual occurrence as the former premier’s family continues to be restricted from meeting the ex-premier.
A court order issued by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on March 24, 2025 mandated that meetings with Imran would be permitted twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Despite the IHC’s order, Imran’s sisters — Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Khan Niazi — along with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, have tried but failed to meet Imran.
On Tuesday, the party and Imran’s sisters had staged a sit-in near Adiala jail after being denied a meeting with the incarcerated prime minister.
However, on Tuesday night, the party’s media coordinators told Dawn that the sisters suddenly ended the demonstration and were making their way to Murree Road to stage a protest rally. They added that there was no definite plan and that it was the sisters’ decision.
“Today, Chairman Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were not granted a meeting with the family. Khan sahib’s sisters and party workers have set off for a protest rally in Islamabad,” the PTI said in a post on X.
Another video posted by the party showed Aleema and several PTI workers chanting slogans as they marched on the streets of Rawalpindi.
The PTI workers and leaders moved towards Islamabad despite the deployment of police and other law enforcement agencies.
Aleema, while talking to media persons, said that the protesters had decided to march toward Islamabad as authorities were not allowing the family to meet Imran.
She claimed that the “powers that be” were scared of just 2,000 to 3,000 people. “What will happen if 10,000 people reach here and start marching towards Islamabad?” she asked.
The development came as reports emerged of authorities rounding up and arresting PTI workers from the sit-in.
Earlier in the day, the PTI leaders were stopped at DHA Naka instead of Factory Chowk near Adiala jail in Rawalpindi. Imran’s sisters and party leaders held a Qur’an khwani at the site during the day but were later allowed to move a little further.
Speaking to reporters, Uzma said that initially, the route was blocked, forcing her and her sisters to traverse a dirt road. She added that the demonstrators decided they would hold a Qur’an khwani wherever police stop them.
Uzma added that on February 8 — when the PTI and opposition parties have called for a nationwide wheel-jam strike — the whole of Pakistan “will be jammed”.
“Sohail Afridi has been trained by Imran Khan and he is following his directions,” she said. “It is [because of the] training of Imran Khan that workers are holding a peaceful protest,” she said.
Uzma alleged that Imran’s opposition to military operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was why he was imprisoned.
“However, they have received directions from abroad to hold a military operation, so it is being conducted,” she claimed.
She further said that the court was helpless and unable to provide justice to politicians, alleging that police demanded bribes from PTI supporters outside Adiala jail.
“Since the May 9 incident, police enter homes and demand money from PTI supporters,” she claimed. Uzma also urged the public to fly kites emblazoned with Imran’s name and picture on Feb 8, when Basant will be celebrated in Lahore. - Dawn
Courtesy Dawn
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