Lead

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) called off a sit-in in Islamabad early Wednesday after police blocked a delegation led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and the sisters of former premier Imran Khan from reaching Adiala jail in Rawalpindi to meet the incarcerated PTI founder, according to multiple reports from Dawn.

The protest, staged at the intersection of Srinagar Highway and G.T. Road — locally known as Chungi No. 26 — began Tuesday when the caravan was stopped from entering the federal capital en route to the jail. The PTI ended the protest on Wednesday morning, with party officials accusing police of heavy-handedness.

Coverage Comparison

Dawn's reports consistently confirm that CM Afridi, accompanied by his provincial cabinet, lawmakers, and Imran Khan's sisters, was intercepted by capital police at Chungi No. 26 on Tuesday. The delegation was told it could not proceed because Section 144, which restricts gatherings, was in force. The sit-in followed at the same location.

All reports agree that the Islamabad High Court had earlier allowed the former premier twice-a-week meetings — on Tuesdays and Thursdays — with family, lawyers, and associates. Despite this, the delegation was not permitted to visit, and a number of PTI leaders, including Salman Akram Raja and Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, also reached Adiala jail but were denied access, according to Dawn.

One report notes that the cut-off time for visiting Imran Khan was 4pm, but provides no further detail on whether this played a role in the denial.

Key Claims

  • Imran Khan is serving a 14-year sentence at Adiala jail in a £190 million corruption case, commonly referred to as the Al-Qadir Trust case, as reported by Dawn. He has been imprisoned since August 2023.
  • The Islamabad High Court has allowed Imran Khan twice-a-week meetings with family and legal representatives, per multiple reports.
  • A medical team reached Adiala jail to conduct a checkup of Imran Khan, according to media reports cited by Dawn. Imran recently underwent a medical procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad.
  • CM Afridi and Imran's sister Aleema Khan said at a press conference on Wednesday that shots were fired at sit-in participants on Tuesday night, injuring several people. They also showed a video purportedly depicting the incident. This claim has not been independently verified by Dawn or other outlets.
  • CM Afridi demanded that Imran Khan be transferred to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for treatment, a demand echoed in PTI statements.
  • Aleema Khan demanded that proceedings under Article 6 be initiated against those involved in the cipher case, a demand reported by Dawn but not corroborated by other sources.

Perspectives

PTI/Government Critics

CM Afridi and Aleema Khan framed Tuesday's events as evidence of state brutality. Afridi said the world witnessed the treatment of provincial lawmakers and the provincial chief executive. He claimed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa supplies gas to the entire country yet receives bullets in return, and alleged that wheat supplies to the province had been blocked. He also accused the government of manipulation in Imran Khan's case, referencing the cipher issue and saying "the regime change operation brought nothing but hunger, inflation and price hikes."

Aleema Khan questioned whether any state had treated the sisters of former prime ministers as Imran's sisters were being treated, and called for Article 6 proceedings against those responsible for the cipher case.

Government/Police Perspective

Dawn's reports do not include direct comments from police or government officials responding to the allegations. The police's stated reason for stopping the delegation was the imposition of Section 144. No official statement has been published addressing the claim of shots being fired.

Imran Khan's Health

Multiple reports highlight concerns about Imran Khan's health during imprisonment. He underwent a medical procedure at Pims on the night of January 24, a development confirmed days later. The medical team's visit to Adiala jail is reported, but no official update on his condition has been provided. CM Afridi's demand for treatment at Shifa International Hospital remains the central demand of the PTI.

The sit-in was called off early Wednesday, with Shafi Jan, special assistant to the KP chief minister on information, stating on X that "Chungi No. 26 has been reopened after the worst violence, bullets and baton-charge." Both CM Afridi and Aleema Khan were scheduled to address a press conference at 2pm Wednesday at KP House.

As of the latest reports, no further protests have been announced, and the PTI's next steps remain unclear.