Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan's sisters arrested in Islamabad

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's two sisters, Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, reached Islamabad's D Chowk for a "peaceful protest" and were arrested by police.

In Short

• PTI supporters gathered in Islamabad demanding Imran Khan's release
• Mobile and internet services suspended in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
• Imran Khan is jailed at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail since one year

The Islamabad Police on Friday arrested former Pakistan Prime Minister and jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's sisters -- Aleema Khan and Uzma Khanum from D Chowk in the city for "exercising their right of peaceful protest".

Aleema and Uzma were arrested after they arrived at the D Chowk following a protest call given by Imran Khan, a 71-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician, who has been incarcerated at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail for more than a year.

"Former PM Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan has been arrested by the police at D Chowk for exercising her right of Peaceful Protest. Such is the state of affairs in Pakistan under a fascist regime where citizens have been completely ripped of their fundamental rights," PTI said in a post on X.

Scores of PTI supporters gathered at the iconic venue in the country's capital demanding the release of Imran Khan. Reports claimed that Pakistani authorities used tear gas to disperse protesters who had gathered at D Chowk and even suspended mobile and internet services in most parts of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to quell the agitation.

In another post, the PTI also mentioned Uzma Khanum's arrest and said, "Imran Khan's sister Uzma was also illegally arrested from D Chowk. This fake government is a victim of panic".

Notably, D Chowk is the same venue where Imran Khan held a sit-in for 126 days in 2014 against alleged rigging in the Pakistan general elections.

Talking to the media at D-Chowk, Islamabad Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said that police have blocked all entry points to Islamabad and also arrested about 30 protesters.

"Proceedings are underway wherever there are attempts to hurt police or damage property. Till now, there have been over 30 arrests. We are updating the exact numbers. We have a clear message that we will not let anyone take the law into their own hands," he said.

In a tense political atmosphere, as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters, under the leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, advanced towards D-Chowk, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi issued a stern warning.

Naqvi announced that no individual or group would be permitted to break the law or cause damage to property under the pretext of protesting.

Imran has been incarcerated since his arrest on August 5, 2023. He faces numerous legal cases, with convictions in several of them. His party continues to stage protests, calling for his immediate release. PTI argues that the government must respect the constitution and uphold the independence of the judiciary in handling his legal battles.