A sit-in led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists on Adiala Road ended after nearly six hours late Tuesday, following protests over the denial of meetings with the party’s jailed founder and his wife, Bushra Bibi.
The protest, led by the former prime minister’s sisters — Aleema Khan, Dr Uzma Khan and Noreen Khan — was staged after police blocked their access to Adiala Jail despite it being a scheduled day for family members and party leaders to meet the incarcerated PTI chief.
Earlier in the day, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, party spokesperson Niazullah Niazi, Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and the party founder’s lawyer Faisal Malik reached Adiala Road but were stopped by police at the Dahgal checkpoint and denied permission to proceed.
Separately, the PTI founder’s three sisters attempted to reach the jail via the Chakri Interchange on the motorway.
However, police stopped their vehicle at the Gorakhpur checkpoint, placing a dumper across the road to block traffic. The sisters, along with party workers, then began a march on foot towards the jail.
At the Factory checkpoint, police installed iron barricades and completely sealed Adiala Road, preventing all movement beyond the point.
At around 3:30 pm, after repeated refusals to allow jail meetings, the sisters and PTI workers staged a sit-in on the road, chanting slogans and blocking traffic.
Senior PTI leaders from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including provincial president Junaid Akbar, Mushtaq Ghani and KP government spokesperson Shafiullah Jan, joined the protest in solidarity.
Speaking to the media, Aleema Khan alleged that authorities routinely block meetings every Tuesday, accusing them of violating the Constitution and law. She claimed the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi were being kept in solitary confinement and said the party would not abandon its leader.
The prolonged blockade caused severe inconvenience to commuters and residents of the area, with motorists forced to walk long distances due to the closure of the main artery and surrounding roads.
Late at night, negotiations were held between PTI leaders and SHO Saddar Bairooni, after which the protesters dispersed. Traffic was restored soon after the sit-in ended.
