Water cannons again used to disperse PTI sit-in near Adiala jail

RAWALPINDI: Police used water cannons early on Wednesday to disperse Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) protesters staging a sit-in near Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail after the family of party founder Imran Khan was once again denied a court-mandated meeting with him.

Imran Khan’s sisters — Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Khan Niazi — along with party workers and supporters had gathered at Factory Naka, demanding enforcement of an Islamabad High Court (IHC) order allowing meetings with the incarcerated former prime minister twice a week. PTI maintains that the order, issued on March 24, has repeatedly been ignored.

Police launched the operation around 2am, initially deploying water cannon vehicles and later baton-charging protesters who remained at the site. Several PTI workers were reportedly arrested, though authorities did not immediately confirm the number.

This was the second such dispersal in a week. Last Tuesday, a similar sit-in was broken up using water cannons after Imran Khan’s family was prevented from meeting him.

PTI and allied leaders strongly condemned the police action. Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, who remained at the protest until late Tuesday night, denounced what he described as “inhuman treatment” of peaceful demonstrators.

In a statement posted on X early Wednesday, PTI’s central information department accused the authorities of defying the IHC order and unleashing “extreme state brutality”.

“These actions constitute a direct assault on the Constitution, the rule of law, and the authority of the judiciary,” the party said, alleging that chemical-laced water cannons were used against Imran Khan’s sisters, party leaders and supporters, including women and elderly protesters.

Videos shared by PTI showed water cannons being used as police stood nearby, while other clips featured drenched protesters complaining of burning sensations in their eyes and chest. Aleema Khan, in one video, alleged that chemicals had been mixed in the water used against demonstrators.

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Earlier on Tuesday, Aleema Khan had said the family had “no other option left besides protesting” to secure a meeting with Imran Khan, insisting that the sit-in was peaceful and lawful. She maintained that the party founder was being subjected to mental torture in prison and was kept in solitary confinement.

PTI leaders present at the protest, including Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, urged supporters to show solidarity with Imran Khan’s family and questioned the authorities’ refusal to allow meetings despite court orders and jail rules.

Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 and is currently held at Adiala Jail in connection with the £190 million corruption case, while also facing multiple other trials, including cases linked to the May 9, 2023 protests. PTI has repeatedly raised concerns over his treatment in custody.

Last week, a UN special rapporteur warned that Imran Khan’s conditions of detention could amount to inhuman or degrading treatment, urging Pakistani authorities to comply with international human rights standards.