Rawalpindi, Pakistan – Three sisters of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan have escalated their fight for justice as Imran Khan sisters demand probe into what they describe as a brutal police assault outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. The incident, which occurred last week, has sparked controversy over the treatment of peaceful protesters and raised questions about access rights for the imprisoned PTI chief’s family members.
Formal Complaint Filed With Punjab Police Chief
Imran Khan sisters demand probe through a formal complaint submitted to Punjab Inspector General of Police Usman Anwar, detailing the alleged assault on them and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters. The three sisters—Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan, and Dr Uzma Khan—documented their allegations against police personnel who they claim brutally attacked them while they peacefully protested outside the jail where their brother has been imprisoned since August 2023.
The PTI stated it had filed the complaint with the Punjab police chief over what it termed the “brutal assault and unlawful detention of peaceful citizens.” This action represents a significant escalation as Imran Khan sisters demand probe into allegations that have garnered widespread attention across Pakistan’s political landscape.
Circumstances Leading to the Protest
The incident occurred after Imran Khan sisters demand probe began when the three women camped outside Adiala Jail along with party supporters. Their protest was triggered by an undeclared ban on meetings that prevented them from seeing their brother for over a month. Imran Khan, who serves as PTI chief, has been incarcerated in multiple cases since August 2023, making family access a contentious issue.
According to the sisters’ account, they were denied a meeting with Imran Khan without proper justification, prompting them to engage in what they characterized as peaceful and democratic protest. Their concerns centered on Khan’s health condition and wellbeing during his extended imprisonment.
Detailed Account of Alleged Police Assault
The allegations that prompted Imran Khan sisters demand probe include shocking claims of physical violence. Noreen Niazi, one of the sisters, provided a detailed account of the incident in the formal complaint. “We peacefully protested over concerns for his health condition. We neither blocked roads nor obstructed public movement, nor engaged in any unlawful conduct,” she stated.
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According to Noreen’s testimony, the situation deteriorated rapidly when “without warning or provocation, the streetlights in the area were abruptly switched off, deliberately casting the scene into darkness.” She described what followed as “a brutal and orchestrated assault by Punjab police personnel.”
Personal Testimony of Violence
The reason Imran Khan sisters demand probe becomes clear through Noreen’s harrowing personal account. Despite her elderly age, she claims she was “seized by my hair, thrown violently to the ground, and dragged across the road, sustaining injuries.” This graphic description of alleged police brutality forms the centerpiece of the complaint and highlights why Imran Khan sisters demand probe with such urgency.
The PTI emphasized that Aleema Khan, Dr Uzma Khan, and Noreen were “sitting peacefully” outside the jail when they were allegedly manhandled and “violently detained” by police officers. The party maintains that the sisters posed no threat and were exercising their democratic right to peaceful protest.
Call for Accountability and Investigation
Central to why Imran Khan sisters demand probe is their insistence on accountability for the alleged assault. The sisters specifically demanded that the IGP Punjab immediately initiate proceedings against all police personnel involved in what they describe as a brutal attack. They are seeking an impartial investigation that will examine the conduct of officers present during the incident.
The formal complaint represents not just a personal grievance but a broader challenge to how authorities handle peaceful protests and family access rights for high-profile prisoners in Pakistan’s justice system.
Broader Context of Access Denial
The situation that led Imran Khan sisters demand probe reflects a wider pattern of restricted access to the imprisoned former prime minister. The government has reportedly placed an undeclared ban on meetings for over one month, affecting not just family members but also political allies and supporters.
Even Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi faced similar restrictions, making seven consecutive attempts to meet Khan in jail without success. Jail authorities, whom Khan claims are controlled by an army officer, have consistently denied these meeting requests, creating frustration among PTI leadership and supporters.
Political Implications
The incident and subsequent demand for investigation have significant political ramifications. As Imran Khan sisters demand probe, the case highlights tensions between PTI and Punjab authorities, raising questions about political prisoners’ rights and their families’ access to them. The alleged assault on elderly women peacefully protesting has generated sympathy and outrage among PTI supporters.
Moving Forward
As Imran Khan sisters demand probe continues to resonate across Pakistan’s political spectrum, the response from Punjab police leadership will be closely watched. The formal complaint to IGP Usman Anwar puts pressure on law enforcement to either defend their officers’ conduct or acknowledge wrongdoing and take corrective action.
The case underscores ongoing challenges in Pakistan’s political environment, where the treatment of opposition figures and their families remains contentious. Whether the investigation demanded by the sisters materializes and what findings it might produce will likely influence broader discussions about civil liberties and police conduct in Pakistan.
