Noreen Niazi, sister of PTI Founder and former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, issued a strong warning that supporters planning to protest outside the Islamabad High Court are at risk of facing violence similar to past government crackdowns, specifically recalling the lethal outcome of the May 9, 2023, unrest.
In an interview with ANI, Niazi provided chilling details of the past violence:
“The last time a huge protest happened, countless people were shot. Their dead bodies were hidden… On 9 May, even I was present there, when these people targeted the public using snipers. They shot children in the head.”
Imran Khan’s Resolve and Supporters’ Persistence
Despite these accounts of violence, Niazi noted that supporters continue to mobilize in solidarity with Imran Khan.
- Khan’s Advice: She stated that while his supporters have asked him to call for protests, Imran Khan has advised them against taking to the streets, fearing they would be met with bullets again.
- Torture Allegation: Niazi alleged that Imran Khan is under “intense pressure” and is being “tortured” to force him to abandon the nation, drawing a stark contrast between him and previous political figures like Nawaz Sharif or Zardari.
- Leader vs. Politician: She stressed that her brother views himself as a leader with a greater purpose to “transform this country,” rather than a “regular politician” seeking only the office of Prime Minister. She claimed he has vowed never to make a deal, even if he remains in jail for life.
Rumours and Access Denial at Adiala Jail
Niazi’s warnings come amid heightened tensions and growing speculation about Imran Khan’s health and whereabouts, fueled by the continued denial of access to the jailed leader.
- Denied Access: PTI activists, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, staged a sit-in outside Adiala Jail after Afridi was reportedly denied a meeting for the eighth time. Khan’s sisters and lawyers have also been prevented from meeting him for several weeks.
- Death Rumours: The lack of transparency has intensified unverified rumors about Khan’s health, picked up by some international outlets and making the hashtag “Where is Imran Khan?” trend widely on social media.
- Family’s Demand: Imran Khan’s son, Kasim Khan, issued a statement urging international bodies to “demand proof of life, enforce court-ordered access, end this inhumane isolation.”
- Authorities’ Counter-Claims: Authorities, including Adiala Jail officials and advisor Rana Sanaullah, have dismissed the claims as “baseless,” insisting that Imran Khan is “fully healthy” and being provided with all necessary medical attention and VIP facilities, including a personal cook and exercise equipment.
PTI lawmakers, however, continue to assert inside Parliament that Khan is being kept in solitary confinement in violation of human rights and jail manuals.