Case registered over PTI sit-in outside Adiala Jail; 14 presented before ATC

RAWALPINDI: Police have registered a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act over a sit-in staged by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. The case follows a late-night crackdown early on Wednesday, to disperse protesters demanding access to incarcerated former premier Imran Khan.

The case was lodged at Saddar Beroni Police Station and names several senior PTI figures, including Imran Khan’s sisters Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, as well as Qasim Khan and Salman Akram Raja. Other nominated individuals include Aliua Hamza, Naeem Haider Panjutha and Tabish Farooq, along with 35 additional accused. Police say a total of around 400 people have been named in the case, including Nadia Khattak and Raja Asad Abbas.

According to police officials, 14 of the accused were produced before the Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Wednesday, which approved a three-day physical remand and handed them over to the police for investigation.

The case follows heightened tensions in the early hours of Wednesday, when police used water cannons and later baton charges to break up a PTI protest near Adiala Jail. The sit-in had begun hours earlier after Imran Khan’s family was reportedly denied a meeting with him.

Police action reportedly began around 2 AM at Factory Naka, where Imran Khan’s sisters, party leaders and supporters had camped overnight. Protesters were first dispersed using water cannons and later chased away, with several workers detained. Authorities have not confirmed the exact number of arrests.

PTI has also alleged that “chemical-laced” water was used, which caused burning sensations in the eyes and chest pain among protesters. Videos shared on social media showed water cannons being used as police guarded the high-security area.

This is the second incident within a week in which water cannons have been used against PTI supporters protesting outside Adiala Jail.