Charges include attempted murder, resisting police, and creating disorder during Adiala Road unrest
Screengrab of PTI founder Imran Khan’s sisters Aleema Khan and Naureen Khan during a media talk outside Adiala Jail on Monday
RAWALPINDI:
Rawalpindi police on Wednesday registered a case under anti-terrorism provisions against the sisters of Imran Khan, several members of the national and provincial assemblies, and around 1,400 unidentified individuals following unrest on Adiala Road late Tuesday night.
According to police, the FIR was lodged on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Imran Khan, in charge of the Adiala checkpost, and includes charges of attempted murder and resisting law enforcement.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had called for a “peaceful protest” against restrictions on meetings with its founder. However, authorities imposed Section 144 across the district, banning public gatherings for 15 days.
Despite the curbs and persistent rain in the twin cities, a large number of PTI leaders and supporters attempted to reach the jail premises but were intercepted at multiple points by law enforcement personnel.
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Police said several individuals were named in the FIR, including Aleema Khan, Dr Uzma Khan, and Noreen Niazi. Others nominated include MNA Shahid Khattak, MPA Meena Khan, MNA Shafqat Awan, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government spokesperson Shafee Jan.
According to the complaint, protesters pelted stones at police, injuring nine personnel. Police said 41 suspects were taken into custody at the scene but later escaped, while several others also fled. Authorities added that 13 vehicles belonging to those who escaped had been seized. Police said petrol, glass bottles, cotton, matches, and other materials were recovered from the vehicles.
The FIR stated that both government and private vehicles were damaged during the unrest due to stone-pelting and the use of sticks. Police alleged that the accused attempted to create disorder for political purposes to pressure the Punjab government.
Meanwhile, PTI leaders condemned the police action. Core Committee member Seemabia Tahir Satti said the group, including Imran Khan’s sisters, was stopped near DHA Chowk. “Law enforcement agencies had already vacated a hotel in the vicinity. They arrested Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan along with several workers and shut down the hotel after detaining them,” she said.
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PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram also criticised the operation, alleging that party leaders and workers were detained and subjected to force. He claimed protesters faced heavy shelling and baton charges, while routes leading to Adiala Jail were sealed.
According to him, several party members travelling from different areas were stopped at motorway rest points, including Kallar Kahar and Chakri, where arrests were also made. He added that at least five members of the Punjab Assembly, including Opposition Leader Moeen Qureshi, were taken into custody.
Special security arrangements had been put in place in Rawalpindi ahead of the protest related to planned meetings with Imran. PTI also announced a protest for April 9, marking four years since the party was removed from power through a no-confidence motion.
Imran has been in custody since August 2023 and is serving a sentence at Adiala jail in a £190 million corruption case. He also faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act in connection with the May 9, 2023, protests.
The PTI has intensified calls for his release after a medical report submitted to the Supreme Court stated that vision in his right eye had dropped to 15 per cent. Government officials, however, maintain that he is receiving appropriate medical care.
