‘Illegal and Inhumane’: PTI Alleges Imran Khan Subjected to Solitary Confinement in Jail

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and family members of former prime minister Imran Khan staged a sit-in protest on Tuesday outside Adiala Jail, alleging.

That Khan has been kept in illegal solitary confinement in violation of constitutional provisions and international human rights norms. Addressing the media near the Gorakhpur Factory checkpoint, Imran Khan’s sister Alima Khan accused jail authorities of deliberately isolating the former prime minister to cut him off from the public and suppress his political influence. She described the confinement as unconstitutional and a “blatant human rights violation.”

“Even five days of solitary confinement is considered a serious human rights violation. Imran Khan has been kept in this condition for over two months,” Alima Khan said. She also alleged that family meetings have been heavily restricted, claiming that her sister was allowed to meet Khan for only about 20 minutes.

Alima Khan said the restrictions stem from fear of Imran Khan’s continued popularity despite his imprisonment. “They believe people will forget him if he is isolated. We will not allow that to happen,” she said. PTI leaders at the protest said they would continue the sit-in until authorities allow meetings with Imran Khan in line with court orders and jail regulations. The party claimed that repeated requests for meetings with Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, family members and legal counsel have been denied.

Jail authorities told PTI representatives that visiting hours had ended and no further meetings could be permitted. Officials maintained that jail rules were being followed, a claim rejected by PTI leaders.

Protesters said they were informed that water cannons and tankers had been deployed to disperse the sit-in. Responding to this, Alima Khan said demonstrators were prepared for any action. “Throw water on us or knock us down — we are ready,” she said.

PTI leaders said the protest would remain peaceful and insisted they were not violating any laws. “Those keeping Imran Khan in solitary confinement are the ones breaking the law,” party leaders said, vowing to continue the protest.