PTI leaders, family barred from meeting Imran Khan

RAWALPINDI: Police stopped several PTI leaders and family members of the party’s incarcerated founder from reaching Adiala Jail on Thursday for a meeting with Imran Khan, triggering strong criticism from the opposition.

Former minister Zartaj Gul was stopped at the Dahgal police checkpoint and denied permission to proceed.

 “We were promised a meeting according to court orders and the jail manual. The entire Adiala Road is blocked, this is nothing short of a spectacle. Why is the government so afraid of a simple visit?”, she said while talking to the media.

Imran Khan’s sisters, including Aleema Khan, were also barred from meeting him.

“We were assured of a meeting today. We won’t leave until it happens. They’re clearly lying,” said Aleema.

Opposition leader Omar Ayub was also stopped at the Gorakhpur checkpoint and launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

“There is no bigger liar than him,” he said. Ayub slammed the government over the petroleum levy, rupee devaluation, and rising national debt, alleging, “They are fooling the nation with false promises, especially regarding development in Balochistan.”

Khawaja Haris says military trial is fair, SC questions what if it isn’t

Ayub also claimed that even the Balochistan CM “can’t leave Quetta without security”.

Prominent PTI figures Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Niazullah Niazi, and Ahmed Khan Bachhar were similarly stopped.

Speaking to media, Hamid Raza criticised the administration’s handling of the situation. “We have no option but to issue a peaceful call for protest,” he said, adding that even after the Supreme Court’s larger bench allowed meetings, PTI leaders were still being blocked.

He questioned why some individuals without court-approved lists were allowed to meet the former PM, while genuine party representatives were denied access. “My name will never be on the list of compromised people,” he asserted.