Aleema, PTI workers stage sit-in at Rawalpindi’s Factory Naka

Imran instructed Sohail Afridi to lead movement, says Khan’s sister

RAWALPINDI: PTI founder Imran Khan‘s sister Aleema Khan and PTI workers staged a sit-in at Rawalpindi’s Factory Naka on Tuesday as they were barred from moving towards Adiala Jail in a bid to meet the incarcerated ex-premier.

A PTI livestream showed crowds of party supporters marching towards the prison on Adiala Road, before being stopped in front of a riot fence, where they chanted slogans and waved Pakistani and PTI flags.

As they again gathered near the prison complex on Tuesday, Aleema said that Imran was being kept in “solitary confinement”, stressing that the “government had become so fearful of Imran’s message that they had resorted to breaking the law” — in a reference to the police presence at the scene.

Aleema’s video statement was posted on PTI’s X account, in which she was standing in front of a riot fence. Police could also be seen in riot gear behind the fence.

Speaking to reporters, Aleema said that the authorities are afraid of Imran, which is why they have jailed him.

When asked about the statement issued after the TTAP’s two-day conference, she said it “was not a statement”.

“The PTI people are saying that they want to negotiate (with the government), I responded by saying that Imran Khan has instructed Sohail Afridi to take to the streets and lead a movement,” she said.

She added that this last message came from lawyer Salman Safdar, who represented the PTI founder when he was convicted in the Toshakhana 2 case on Saturday.

“Whoever says that we should negotiate with the government after Imran gave these instructions, they cannot be a member of Imran Khan’s party,” Aleema stated.

“We will sit here and we will not leave Imran Khan.

She questioned what the government wants to negotiate when meetings with the PTI founder have been banned. “Tell me why I cannot have meetings (with Imran),“ she said. Staff Report