Pakistani authorities have imposed Section 144 in Rawalpindi amid demands of meeting former Pakistan PM Imran Khan. Though some reports suggest that he has been allowed to meet one sister and a lawyer, there is no official confirmation on the same. Here’s what’s happening in Pakistan
Massive protest in Rawalpindi, Islamabad
Amid growing uncertainty about the whereabouts and well being of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan, his supporters and family under the aegis of his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have planned a massive protest in Rawalpindi, Islamabad. His family has filed a contempt petition, alleging restricted access and lack of transparency.
Section 144 imposed in Rawalpindi
Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Act, 2024 has been imposed in Rawalpindi for three days – from December 1 to 3. All public gatherings including protests, rallies, sit-ins, and assemblies of five or more people are banned. The order also prohibits carrying weapons, makeshift explosives, sling shots, petrol bombs, or any object that could be used violently. Display of arms, hate speech, attempts to remove police barricades, pillion riding, and the use of loudspeakers are also forbidden under Sec 144
Why PTI supporters are demanding access to Imran Khan
Imran Khan’s sisters have been denied access to the leader for a month now, despite court orders. Thoughout the month of November, Khan’s sisters Noreen Khan, Aleema Khan, and Uzma Khan huddled demanded that authorities allow them to meet their brother. But they were harassed and assaulted.
Imran Khan’s sons want proof of his life
Several reports suggested that Imran Khan has been placed in solitary confinement. Speaking to news agency Reuters, Khan’s son Kasim said that they have “have no verifiable information at all about his condition.” They also said that they are not aware if their father is safe or even alive
What Imran Khan said in his last social media post
In what now seems to be a hint that Khan might be aware of the dangers to his life, he wrote on X, “The military establishment has done all they could against me. All that is left for them is to now murder me. I have stated publicly that if anything happens to me or my wife, General Asim Munir will be responsible. But I am not afraid because my faith is strong. I would prefer death over slavery.” He also described Munir as the “most oppressive dictator.”