Pakistan’s Test Of Protests: Imran Khan’s Jail Isolation And The Politics Of Control | Exclusive Details

Last Updated:December 30, 2025, 22:23 IST

A protest led by Khan’s sister Aleema Khanum erupted following a prolonged ban on the PTI founder’s meetings with his legal team and family members

Several supporters of Imran Khan have gathered to protest for his release. File pic/Reuters

The political standoff in Pakistan has intensified as the family and supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan launched a defiant sit-in outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. On December 30, the protest, led by Khan’s sister Aleema Khanum, erupted following a prolonged ban on the PTI founder’s meetings with his legal team and family members.

The Adiala Siege: Sit-in and Crackdown

The protest began after authorities once again refused to allow scheduled visits, citing security protocols and an unannounced suspension of meetings that the government has indicated may last until February 2026. Aleema Khanum, spearheading the demonstration, declared that the protesters would not vacate the area regardless of the measures taken by the administration.

The Stand-off: Protesters have gathered at the Factory Naka and Gorakhpur checkpoints, where the Rawalpindi administration has deployed heavy police contingents, riot fences, and water cannons.

Aleema’s Ultimatum: “Do to us whatever they want; this sit-in will continue tonight and beyond," Aleema Khanum stated, asserting that the movement is acting on direct instructions from Imran Khan to resist his “illegal isolation."

The KP Factor: The protest is being bolstered by a “street movement" launched by the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, who has mobilised party workers across Punjab and the capital to demand Khan’s immediate release.

Solitary Confinement and Health Concerns

The core of the dispute remains the conditions of Khan’s detention. His legal team alleges that the former premier has been kept in solitary confinement for 29 consecutive days, a measure a UN Special Rapporteur recently warned could amount to “inhumane treatment".

Conversely, sources within the Adiala Jail administration have sought to downplay these concerns. According to prison officials:

Health Status: Imran Khan’s health is reported to be “perfectly fine", with regular medical check-ups being conducted as per the jail manual.

Dietary Care: The administration claims it is providing “special meals" and ensuring that the PTI chief is being treated in strict accordance with the established prison protocols for high-profile inmates.

Political Implications

The government, represented by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, maintains that the suspension of meetings is a necessary step to prevent the jail from being used as a “coordination hub" for political unrest.

However, the PTI argues that disenfranchising millions of voters by isolating their leader has only served to fuel the current “national struggle for democracy".

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