Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohaib Afridi has accused authorities at Adiala Jail of denying former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi basic necessities, including warm clothing, despite harsh winter conditions. Afridi made the allegations after the jail administration refused him permission to meet Imran for the 10th time.
Afridi described the treatment of Imran and his family members as unjust and inhumane, and he condemned the use of water cannon against the former premier’s sisters during protests outside the jail. The chief minister said it was troubling that an elected provincial leader was prevented from meeting his party’s founder even though court orders were in place.
Imran Khan, 73, has been held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since August 2023 in connection with multiple cases. Afridi said repeated attempts over the past three years to marginalise Imran had failed and warned that federal and Punjab leaders would face consequences if the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf returns to power nationally. He also urged the government and other stakeholders to engage in talks with Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, whom Afridi said Imran had authorised to represent him.
Responding to Afridi’s claims, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah told The News International that the meeting was refused based on intelligence reports. Sanaullah alleged that Imran intended to orchestrate protests similar to demonstrations held on November 26 in Islamabad, and he suggested Afridi’s appointment as chief minister was connected to those plans.
Earlier in the week, authorities used water cannon to disperse a sit-in outside Adiala Jail. The protest involved Imran’s sisters Aleema, Uzma and Noreen, who said they had been repeatedly denied access to the former prime minister. Senior PTI figures, including Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and KP Provincial President Junaid Akbar Khan, also took part in the demonstration.
Afridi additionally referred to the sentencing of Faiz Hameed as an internal matter of the relevant institution. The exchange of accusations between the provincial PTI leadership and federal authorities highlights ongoing tensions surrounding Imran Khan’s detention and the handling of visitor access and detainee welfare at Adiala Jail.
