Tensions increased last week when Imran’s sisters claimed that the police roughly pulled and handled them outside the jail, with some reportedly held for a short time.
One of Imran Khan’s sisters on Tuesday was granted permission to visit the imprisoned former Pakistani Prime Minister at Adiala Jail, after several days of increasing protests and concerns about his health. Uzma Khan was brought into the high-security facility as Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) supporters warned of initiating large protests throughout Rawalpindi despite constraints, reported Geo News.
Following the meeting, Uzma informed reporters that Imran was in solitary confinement and enduring psychological distress but refuted widespread speculation that he had passed away while in custody. “Imran Khan is doing well and is in good health.”
“He is locked away in isolation and enduring psychological torment,” she stated. Her statements conflicted with previous assertions that prison officials had enforced a stringent gag order for the visit. “We refuse to accept conditions,” she stated as she entered the prison.
Recently, there have been rumors about Imran’s possible death. His family has been complaining for weeks that they can’t see him, even though courts have ordered that they should be allowed to visit.
The PTI founder has been in jail for over two years, facing a bunch of corruption and terrorism cases.
On Tuesday morning, PTI supporters wanted to hold big protests in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, demanding that family visits be allowed ASAP.
The Shehbaz Sharif government reacted by banning public gatherings and beefing up security in Rawalpindi. Later that same day, officials said one family member could meet the former premier, which made Uzma relieved that the approval finally came through after a long wait.
Imran’s family has claimed that he was held in a “death cell” and that officials were hiding important details about his health. In the last week, tensions around Adiala Jail have escalated significantly, leading to heightened security and the installation of five new checkpoints.
Over 700 security forces equipped with riot control gear have been stationed as PTI activists and Imran’s sisters persist in their sit-ins.
Tensions increased last week when Imran’s sisters claimed that the police roughly pulled and handled them outside the jail, with some reportedly held for a short time.
The authorities and the prison administration have denied any allegations regarding a decline in Imran’s health or assertions of a covert transfer. “The Adiala Jail administration stated that he is in good health and receiving comprehensive medical treatment.”
