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In a significant development highlighting the growing friction between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the state authorities, several senior PTI leaders, along with the sisters of jailed party founder Imran Khan, were briefly detained by Rawalpindi police on Thursday. The arrests took place near the Gorakhpur checkpoint, in close proximity to Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where Khan is currently incarcerated.
Among those detained were National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan, Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Ahmed Khan Bhachar, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and PTI leader Aliya Hamza. Also detained were Imran Khan’s sisters Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan, and Noreen Khanum, along with his cousin Qasim Khan.
Verbal Clash at Checkpoint Sparks Police Action
According to reports, the confrontation began when PTI leaders attempted to visit Imran Khan but were denied access by law enforcement officials stationed at the Gorakhpur checkpoint. The denial led to a verbal altercation, during which PTI leaders demanded their constitutional right to meet the former prime minister.
Police reportedly warned the leaders that they would be arrested, showing them arrest warrants before taking them into custody and placing them in a prison van.
Before being detained, Omar Ayub spoke to the media, criticizing the actions of the authorities. “See this, they are arresting the Leader of the Opposition,” he said, adding that such acts highlight the erosion of democratic norms in the country. He further stated that he had not allowed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to address the National Assembly, questioning the legality and morality of the government’s actions.
Police Crackdown Amidst Protest and Clashes
The incident follows an earlier confrontation between PTI supporters and police last week, where party workers clashed with law enforcement outside Adiala Jail. Protesters chanted slogans and attempted to breach the security cordon in protest over restrictions on meeting Imran Khan.
Police responded with baton charges, and in return, PTI workers pelted stones at law enforcement. Multiple arrests were made, and tensions remained high throughout the day.
Thursday’s detentions seem to be a continuation of those tensions, as police moved to assert control over what they described as an unlawful assembly and obstruction of prison protocols.
Leaders Released After Several Hours
According to sources, all individuals detained — including the sisters of Imran Khan and PTI leaders — were released later in the evening near the Chakri Interchange, approximately 30 kilometers from the jail.
The situation was reportedly defused after Omar Ayub assured police officials of peaceful conduct moving forward. Following their release, the group departed for their residences, and no charges were formally registered.
PTI Responds with Strong Condemnation
Reacting to the incident, PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram condemned the arrests, calling them “unlawful and politically motivated.” Speaking to Geo News, he said, “This is not democracy. Arresting peaceful opposition leaders and family members of our party founder is extremely deplorable.”
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Akram also warned of a “strong public reaction” if such tactics continued and called for an immediate end to what he termed as state repression of political opponents.
Government Denies Involvement and Blames PTI Infighting
In contrast, the federal government distanced itself from the detentions, claiming that no restrictions had been placed on Imran Khan’s meetings with party leaders or family members.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, speaking on Geo News’s “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath”, categorically rejected PTI’s allegations. He claimed that Khan has actually been granted more visitation rights than any other political detainee, with multiple weekly meetings allowed.
Tarar also pointed to internal conflict within PTI, suggesting that factionalism within the party was at the root of the confusion. “There’s a clear division between the Aleema Khan camp and Bushra Bibi’s camp,” he said, implying that internal power struggles may be causing obstacles in coordinating visits to Khan.
Ongoing Political Unrest and PTI’s Strategy
The incident is yet another chapter in the ongoing political saga that has gripped Pakistan since Imran Khan’s arrest and subsequent imprisonment. With PTI increasingly sidelined from formal political processes, the party appears to be leveraging public mobilization and media narratives to maintain relevance and challenge the government’s authority.
Thursday’s episode also reveals the fragile nature of civil-military relations and highlights the complexities of maintaining law and order amid a deeply polarized political environment.
Whether this event will galvanize PTI’s base or further fracture its leadership remains to be seen. What’s clear, however, is that tensions between the opposition and the establishment are far from easing — and the streets near Adiala Jail may not remain quiet for long.
