'Ongoing Rights Abuse': Imran Khan's Sister Condemns His Solitary Confinement, Calls For Sit-In Prayers

Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan’s sister has once again condemned her brother’s continued solitary confinement and said he has now been in complete isolation for three months.

After being denied a visit to Imran a few days ago, the family had organised sit-in prayers outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. Aleema Khan issued another call for a collective religious gathering outside the prison on Tuesday (January 13). 

Addressing the media and supporters, Aleema said the treatment meted out to Imran is not only a gross violation of Pakistan’s domestic laws but also stands in direct contravention of international legal frameworks.

She stressed that extended isolation is classified as a form of torture under international law, while categorising

the government’s actions as a serious violation of basic human rights. She said he was being systematically denied his most fundamental legal protections.

Aleema further said visitation rights for his legal team and family are mandatory and not a privilege to be granted by authorities. Under the law, six family members and six lawyers are entitled to meet him every Tuesday, yet these rights are being consistently bypassed.

Supporters and members of Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have also voiced their frustrations, stating that they have been caught in a “hamster wheel” of legal bureaucracy for the past two years. Despite obtaining multiple court orders to facilitate meetings, they are frequently barred at the prison gates leading to a cycle of filing for contempt of court only to be denied again.

They have also highlighted that when Nawaz Sharif was behind bars, at least 200 people were permitted to visit him weekly without the necessity of court interventions. But the current administration is denying a sister the basic right to see her brother, they added.

In response to what she called “ongoing human rights abuse”, Aleema has called for a public gathering outside the jail, which will feature a Khatam-e-Quran followed by a collective prayer at 3.30 pm Pakistan time. She said the prayers are intended for the release of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, as well as all other individuals undergoing illegal imprisonment across the country. During the last such sit-in, women reciting Quranic verses were forced to disperse after water was mysteriously poured over them – an act described by protesters as “ridiculous” and “unfortunate”.