Background
Imran Khan’s sisters, including Aleema Khan, staged a sit‑in outside Adiala Jail after being denied their weekly meeting with the former prime minister. The protest began late at night and continued through one freezing winter night, with PTI leaders, workers, and supporters joining them. PTI alleged that police attempted to disperse the peaceful demonstrators by using water cannons at 2 a.m. According to sources, Aleema Khan later announced the end of the sit‑in but said they would return on Tuesday to meet Imran Khan again.
Alleged Police Crackdown
PTI leaders claimed that police used water cannons in the cold night to break up the protest. Protesters questioned whether they had blocked roads or engaged in violence, insisting the gathering was peaceful. They also argued that stopping weekly family meetings violated jail rules.
Political Leaders’ Reactions
Muzzammil Aslam said the treatment of Khan’s sisters exposed the falsehood of Maryam Nawaz’s claim that “women are my red line.” He argued that the government’s actions showed hypocrisy and disregard for basic norms.
Asad Umar described the use of water cannons against elderly women in freezing December nights as brutality. He said the sight of Khan’s sisters falling helplessly after being hit with water was shocking and urged families to imagine if their own mothers or sisters were treated this way.
Moonis Elahi criticized government ministers, saying videos of elderly women collapsing after water cannon blasts expose cruelty. He added that ministers could no longer dismiss the incident as routine, and that the footage itself was proof of inhumane treatment.
Sardar Abdul Qayyum Siddiqui said those hiding behind constitutional amendments while carrying out what he called “worst unconstitutional acts” were making a mockery of the country. He questioned why Khan’s sisters were being stopped from meeting their brother, calling it an example of misuse of power and a violation of basic norms.
Journalists’ Comments
Saqib Bashir wrote that attacking unarmed citizens in the dark of night showed the government was dangerously afraid. He said the need to use force against peaceful protesters reflected insecurity at the highest level.
Iqrar ul Hassan Syed described the police action, including stone pelting and water cannons, as deeply regrettable. He said history always remembers such acts against elderly women and unarmed citizens, and that this incident would be recorded as a shameful chapter.
Samina Pasha condemned the use of water cannons on Khan’s sisters, calling it shameful and inhumane. She said targeting elderly women in such conditions was unacceptable in any society.
Saqib Warraich criticized PTI’s internal management, saying Khan’s sisters were often left alone outside Adiala Jail at night. He noted that responsibility could not always fall on Shahid Khattak or Meena Afridi, while Alia Hamza was the only one consistently mobilizing workers in Punjab. He added that senior party figures treated Adiala Jail only as a media appearance, speaking briefly and then disappearing, leaving the sisters without adequate support.
Protest Called Off
After enduring the cold night and facing the alleged crackdown, Aleema Khan announced the end of the sit‑in. She said the protest had delivered its message. According to sources, she confirmed that the sisters and supporters will return on Tuesday to meet Imran Khan again.