The sit-in at the Gorakhpur checkpost near Adiala Jail, led by Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan and PTI supporters, has been called off after successful negotiations with police, officials said.  Police held initial talks with Aleema Khan and PTI leaders on the spot and gave assurances that meetings with Imran Khan would be arranged. Authorities confirmed the family will be allowed to meet the former prime minister today and again next Tuesday, leading the protesters to disperse peacefully. 

Aleema Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, was staging a sit-in along with party supporters at the Gorakhpur checkpost near Adiala Jail, vowing to stay until she is allowed to meet her incarcerated brother  According to reports, Aleema Khan declared that she and her family will remain at the site until they are granted a meeting with the former prime minister.  She alleged that Imran Khan is being kept in solitary confinement, calling the treatment “oppressive” and “illegal.”

“We will stay here until we are granted a meeting. What is happening to Imran Khan is unjust,” she said.  Terming the situation “a jungle law,” she accused authorities of unlawful behaviour towards the PTI founder. “For those who say we are staging a drama — then why is there so much police here?” she questioned.  Aleema Khan said the family’s protest is peaceful, asserting, “This is our country, and we have every right to protest.” 

Referring to a recent incident, she asked, “Why was my sister dragged on the road last Tuesday?”  She also criticised the deployment of women police officers, claiming they were being used to “malign other women,” and alleged that the actions were intended to please PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz.  “If they want to arrest us, they can go ahead — we are not afraid,” Aleema Khan added.  

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)