Imran Khan’s Family, PTI Leaders Barred from Meeting: Access Denied Again

LAHORE (RNN TV) — On Thursday, police prevented several senior opposition figures and family members of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan from meeting him at Adiala Jail, triggering protests outside the facility.

Among those denied entry were Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan and her two sisters, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, PTI leader Zartaj Gul, religious figure Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Niazullah Niazi, and others. Security officials at various checkpoints cited “security concerns” as the reason for blocking the visits.

Aleema Khan and her sisters staged a sit-in at the police barricade, refusing to leave. “We were assured we’d be allowed to meet him today, but once again, we’ve been lied to,” Aleema told reporters. The family insisted they would remain in protest until access was granted.

At another checkpoint, Omar Ayub was stopped and addressed the media, blasting the government for what he termed “economic deception” and mismanagement, particularly in Balochistan. He accused Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s administration of “dishonesty and poor governance.”

PTI’s Zartaj Gul was turned away at the Daighal checkpoint. She slammed the move as politically motivated. “They’ve turned Adiala Road into a scene of oppression. They’re afraid of us meeting our leader,” she said, accusing government officials of double standards and abuse of power.

Religious leader Sahibzada Hamid Raza and lawyer Niazullah Niazi also reported being denied entry. Raza criticized the “selective permissions” being granted for visits. “If a former prime minister is treated like this, what hope do ordinary citizens have for justice?” he asked.

Raza also dismissed rumors of disunity within the opposition, stating, “I will never align with any compromised faction. I reject political bargaining with contempt.”

Earlier this week, court orders had reportedly permitted visits for individuals listed by Khan’s legal team. Despite this, many of those on the approved list said they were barred from meeting him.