RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD: Security has been significantly tightened around Adiala Jail following two sit-ins staged by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) outside the prison within the past two weeks, as authorities moved to prevent further protests in the area. More than 1,200 police personnel, including anti-riot units, have been deployed, while additional pickets have been set up at key points around the jail.

Officials said the enhanced security measures were taken as a precautionary step amid growing political activity around the detention facility, where PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan is currently incarcerated. The deployment includes Elite Force personnel, women police officers and four police squads kept on standby for emergencies. Anti-riot equipment, including tear gas shells, rubber bullets and protective gear, has also been made available.

Police pickets have been established at the main jail gate, Gate 5, Gorakhpur Road and near the Shaighan Factory. Special Branch officials and a bomb disposal squad conducted inspections in the surrounding area as part of the security arrangements. Traffic police wardens remained deployed to manage traffic flow during court proceedings held inside the jail premises.

The security buildup coincided with the arrival of PTI leaders who had travelled to Rawalpindi to meet Imran Khan but were barred by jail authorities. Among those denied access was Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s former finance minister, Taimur Saleem Jhagra, along with several other party leaders and MPAs. The group waited outside the jail for several hours before returning without meeting the former prime minister.

According to PTI leaders, they arrived at Adiala Jail after 2pm and waited until the afternoon, but were informed by police officials that no permission had been issued for their entry. Jail authorities did not publicly comment on the reasons for denying the meeting.

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The PTI has repeatedly complained that visits to Imran Khan are being restricted despite an Islamabad High Court ruling allowing him two meetings per week with family members and party leaders. Last week, a similar protest outside the jail was dispersed by police using water cannons after midnight.

870 unique meetings supposedly, but today was the 60th Thursday in a row when no one was allowed to meet Imran Khan.

When you learn to lie about numbers, lie shamelessly: Form 47 disease going viral from the ECP to govt spokesmen! pic.twitter.com/dUxPdb1x3Q

— Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) December 18, 2025

Speaking to the media, Mr Jhagra criticised what he described as consistent restrictions on meetings, claiming that since October 2024, party leaders had not been allowed to meet Imran Khan despite weekly attempts. He also expressed concern over cases registered against PTI supporters, including those under anti-terrorism laws, following protests.

Meanwhile, authorities maintained that the security measures were purely preventive and aimed at maintaining law and order. The situation around Adiala Jail remained calm on Thursday, with no major protest activity reported.