Rawalpindi (April 16, 2026) — In a move that has intensified internal party friction, no senior leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) appeared at Adiala Jail on Thursday for their court-mandated meeting with incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The absence of the party’s “heavyweights” comes despite a formal list of names being submitted to the prison administration to curb rising criticism regarding the leadership’s commitment.
Key Highlights
- Despite the IHC allowing meetings every Tuesday and Thursday, the 4:00 PM cutoff passed without a single visit from the nominated leaders.
- The list sent to the jail superintendent included Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, Latif Khosa, Babar Awan, Hamid Khan, Intizar Panjotha, and Salman Akram Raja.
- The skip follows recent public criticism from Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, who suggested the current leadership was failing to do justice to their positions.
اڈیالا جیل ۔ ملاقات کا وقت ختم ، پی ٹی آئی سے کوئی رہنما بانی سے ملاقات کے لئے نہیں پہنچا..آج جمعرات ملاقات کا دن تھا pic.twitter.com/6VZpGAkAQU
— jamshed khan (@JKhanReal) April 16, 2026
Scheduling conflicts or strategic retreat?
The failure to visit comes at a sensitive time for the party. PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram explained that Barrister Gohar was in Lahore visiting families of prisoners in Kot Lakhpat jail, while Salman Akram Raja was preoccupied with court proceedings to secure bail for recently arrested workers. However, Akram admitted he was unaware of why the other four senior figures failed to make the trip, suggesting they may have assumed the administration would deny them entry regardless.
Rifts within the ranks
The absence has fueled speculation about a growing divide between the PTI’s legal-political wing and Imran Khan’s family. Salman Akram Raja had recently hinted at resigning his position following Aleema Khan’s critiques. While party spokespersons have attempted to frame these frustrations as a natural byproduct of the “worrisome situation” surrounding the PTI founder’s detention, the lack of presence at Adiala Jail on a designated meeting day has provided fresh ammunition to critics.
The Adiala deadlock
While Imran Khan’s sisters have remained consistent in their attempts to reach the jail on Tuesdays, the Thursday slots—typically reserved for lawyers and political associates—have seen a revolving door of lower-tier officials. This latest instance of “heavyweight” absenteeism highlights the ongoing struggle within the PTI to balance legal battles, internal power dynamics, and the personal demands of the Khan family.
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