Aleema Khan Adiyala Jail protests
Aleema Khan, the sister of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, has emerged as a central figure in the ongoing protests outside Adiyala Jail in Rawalpindi, where authorities have kept Imran Khan imprisoned since 2023. Her repeated attempts to meet her brother have been denied by authorities, prompting sustained sit-in protests involving family members and supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
These developments have intensified political tensions, with serious allegations of restricted access, police brutality, and misuse of anti-terror laws dominating public discourse.
Denied Jail Access and Sit-In Protests
Since late November 2025, Aleema Khan, along with her sisters Uzma Khan and Noreen Khan, has repeatedly sought permission to visit Imran Khan at Adiala Jail. Authorities have consistently blocked these visits, citing security concerns or claiming that the meetings were intended for “political discussions.”
As a result, the family initiated peaceful sit-in protests outside the jail gates, vowing not to leave until access was granted.
Key Protest Incidents
- December 1, 2025: Aleema Khan was denied entry, leading to a prolonged sit-in.
- December 9, 2025: A late-night protest followed another refusal, with Aleema accusing authorities of deliberately isolating and mentally torturing her brother.
- December 30, 2025: Aleema and her sisters declared they would remain outside the jail indefinitely, even if it resulted in their arrest.
According to the family, these actions violate court-mandated visitation rights and are politically motivated.
Police Crackdowns and Arrests
Protests escalated in mid-December when law enforcement intervened aggressively.
On December 17, 2025, police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Aleema Khan, her sister Noreen Niazi, and several PTI supporters under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). Charges included criminal conspiracy, attacking police personnel, and violating Section 144, which prohibits public gatherings.
Later that night, a crackdown led to the arrest of at least 14 protesters.
On December 30, 2025, police forcibly detained Aleema Khan and several others outside Adiala Jail and transported them in police vans. Authorities released some detainees later, but family members reported continued harassment, including the arrests of Imran Khan’s nephews Hassan Niazi and Haider Niazi, which critics described as collective punishment.
Allegations of Police Brutality
Human rights activists and eyewitnesses have strongly condemned police actions, describing them as excessive and disproportionate, especially given the peaceful nature of the protests.
Use of Water Cannons in Extreme Cold
One of the most controversial incidents occurred at 2:00 a.m. on December 9, 2025, when police reportedly deployed water cannons against protesters in near-freezing temperatures (around 0°C). Police drenched demonstrators, including elderly individuals and women, with cold water during the night, raising serious health concerns.
Similar crowd-control measures were reportedly prepared again on December 30, 2025.
Physical Assaults and Beatings
Several incidents involved alleged baton charges, tear gas use, and physical assaults:
- On November 18, 2025, unknown assailants beat Aleema, Uzma, and Noreen Khan as they tried to meet Imran Khan. Noreen Khan allegedly fainted, and bystanders carried her away.
- Women protesters reported that authorities dragged them, injuring and humiliating them.
- September 5, 2025: Masked individuals allegedly threw eggs at Aleema Khan outside the jail, while police reportedly protected the attackers rather than intervening.
Mental and Psychological Pressure
Family members also alleged psychological abuse during detention, including prolonged questioning and sleep deprivation at police stations.
Aleema and Uzma Khan previously appeared visibly exhausted after detention on October 10, 2024, which the family says reflects a broader pattern of intimidation continuing into 2025.
Separately, Imran Khan’s sons allege that prison authorities are subjecting their father to psychological torture in prison, though authorities deny the claims.
Impact on PTI Supporters
PTI workers and supporters participating in the protests have also faced arrests, injuries, and terrorism-related charges. Observers noted that elderly individuals, women, and children were among those targeted.
Adiala Jail has effectively been turned into a high-security zone, with lockdowns, roadblocks, and riot-control units deployed. Critics argue these measures demonstrate a broader effort to suppress political dissent.
Ongoing Developments
As of early January 2026, Aleema Khan has called for larger-scale sit-ins, aiming to mobilise more than 10,000 participants outside Adiala Jail. She continues to demand Imran Khan’s release, describing his imprisonment as unlawful.
While PTI leadership and supporters frame the protests as resistance against authoritarianism, some internal party voices have criticised senior leadership for not taking a stronger stand.
So far, Pakistani authorities have not directly addressed the allegations of police brutality, maintaining that restrictions on meetings are necessary for security reasons.
Conclusion
The ongoing protests led by Aleema Khan have become a powerful symbol of political resistance in Pakistan. As tensions escalate outside Adiala Jail, concerns over human rights, rule of law, and political freedom continue to dominate national and international attention.
Whether dialogue or further confrontation lies ahead remains uncertain, but the situation underscores a deepening political crisis with far-reaching implications.
