RAWALPINDI – In a high-stakes standoff near Adiala Jail, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi reached a police picket on Thursday, determined to meet the incarcerated PTI founder, Imran Khan.
The visit comes amid heightened tensions, as a non-bailable arrest warrant was issued for CM Afridi just 24 hours prior by an Islamabad court. The warrant pertains to a cybercrime case involving alleged misleading statements against state institutions.
Concerns Over Imran Khan’s Health
Speaking to journalists at the Factory Naka, CM Afridi expressed “serious reservations” regarding the physical condition of Imran Khan. The PTI leadership has recently raised alarms, claiming the former Prime Minister is suffering from a severe eye ailment—identified by the party as Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO)—which could lead to permanent vision loss if untreated.
The Government’s Stance: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed on Thursday that Imran Khan was secretly moved to PIMS hospital on Saturday night for a 20-minute eye procedure. Tarar maintained that the PTI founder is “absolutely healthy” and stable.
The PTI’s Response: CM Afridi slammed the government for its “clandestine” handling of the medical procedure, noting that neither the family nor Imran Khan’s personal physician were informed. “We do not trust a single statement from the Information Minister,” Afridi declared.
Security Lockdown at Adiala Jail
The Rawalpindi administration transformed the vicinity of the prison into a fortress ahead of the Chief Minister’s arrival. Security measures included:
Multiple Pickets: Checkpoints established at Shaigan Healthcare, Dahgal, and Gorakhpur.
Motorway Monitoring: Police checkpoints set up at M1 and M2 toll plazas.
Deployment: Heavy presence of personnel, including female officers, across Adiala Road and major intersections like Committee Chowk and Liaquat Bagh.
“We will not leave without meeting the PTI founder today,” stated PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, who accompanied the CM. “Meeting Imran Khan is a fundamental human right that is being systematically denied.”
Ongoing Protests and Legal Battles
The visit coincides with a series of sit-ins staged by Imran Khan’s sisters—Aleema Khan, Uzma Khanum, and Noreen Khan Niazi—who have been protesting the denial of meeting rights despite orders from the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
As the standoff continues, the PTI has once again moved the IHC to end what they describe as the “unlawful solitary confinement” of Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi.