A terrorism case has been registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan’s sisters, senior party figures and 400 others for staging sit-in outside Adiala Jail.
The FIR, lodged at Saddar Bairuni police station in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, invokes sections 7 and 21(I) of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997 and the Pakistan Penal Code. Police said the protesters had staged a sit-in on Kacheri Road near the prison despite restrictions on public gatherings imposed under Section 144.
According to the FIR, the case names Imran Khan’s sisters Aleema Khan, Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, alongside PTI leaders, Qasim Khan, Salman Akram Raja and Aliya Hamza. Others nominated include Naeem Panjutha, Tabish Farooq, Tayyaba Raja, Nadia Khattak, Haroon, Raja Asad Abbas, Zafar Gondal and Shafqat Abbas. In total, 35 suspects have been named and around 400 unidentified individuals mentioned in the report.
Police also added sections 324, 120B, 147, 109, 286, 149, 440, 285, 188, 341, 353 and 186 of the PPC in the FIR, alongside provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act. Officers added that 14 suspects were arrested at the scene and were later produced before an anti-terrorism court.
The FIR claims petrol bombs were used against law enforcement personnel during the sit-in. Police said further investigation is under way and more arrests are expected once the remaining suspects are identified.
Earlier on Wednesday, police dispersed the demonstrators near the Factory Checkpost and Adiala Jail after clashes erupted. Anti-riot units and water cannons filled with cold water mixed with chemicals were deployed to clear the area.
Imran Khan’s sisters Aleema, Noreen and Dr Uzma, along with senior PTI leaders, had reached the jail on Tuesday for a scheduled family meeting. Officials had tightened security at the prison, deploying additional contingents and installing barricades across key access points, including Gate No 5, the Gorakhpur entry, and the Factory Checkpost.
Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Aleema were caught in the water cannon spray late Tuesday night as police attempted to disperse the crowd. Several protesters taking shelter in the side streets were arrested, while some demonstrators allegedly responded with stone-pelting.
Read: Police use water cannon to disperse protest near Adiala Jail
Authorities later said Adiala Road had been cleared, barriers removed and normal traffic restored, confirming that the operation had concluded and the protesters had dispersed.
Speaking to reporters, Aleema said Khan’s demands centred on constitutionalism. “The founder’s demand is the restoration of the Constitution, democracy and the rule of law,” she said, adding that Khan had been incarcerated for more than two-and-a-half years.
She questioned repeated curbs on family visits. “The government should tell us why the family of the PTI founder is not allowed to meet him?” she added.
Right bodies condemn incident
The Human Rights Council of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned an incident in which the turban of prominent religious scholar Allama Raja Nasir Abbas fell off by a high-pressure water cannon while he was peacefully standing outside Adiala Jail.
Terming the act a violation of religious dignity, freedom of expression, and the right to peaceful assembly, the HRCP urged accountability for those involved and called on authorities to safeguard religious figures, women and peaceful protesters.
Amnesty International South Asia also raised concerns over the safety of peaceful demonstrators and alleged non-compliance with court directives. It highlighted the prolonged solitary confinement conditions of Khan, saying the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture had termed similar detention conditions unlawful and psychologically damaging.
The rights group further said denying family meetings and legal counsel breached Pakistan’s international commitments, including the ICCPR, and contradicted the Mandela Rules, which prohibit the use of family contact restrictions as punishment.
It added that the repeated use of high-pressure water cannons by authorities against peaceful protesters outside Adiala Jail constitutes a blatant violation of their right to peaceful assembly. Such actions undermine fundamental freedoms guaranteed to citizens.
The statement urged authorities to respect the people’s right to peacefully protest without fear of excessive or punitive measures. The disproportionate use of force not only intimidates protesters but also threatens the democratic principles of freedom of expression and assembly.
Imran Khan’s sons planning Pakistan visit
Meanwhile, Imran Khan’s son Qasim Khan has said he and his brother Sulaiman are planning to visit Pakistan in January, after applying for visas.
Speaking to the British broadcaster Sky News, Qasim said the brothers expected their applications to be processed soon. Their remarks come amid complaints by Khan’s sisters that they were again denied access to him at Adiala Jail. PTI also alleged the use of chemical mixed water during the police operation.
Qasim rejected suggestions that he would encourage his father to consider a deal for his release. “This is his life. This really is his passion and his purpose,” he said. “Imran Khan says it is his life’s mission to rid Pakistan of corruption.”
