Kasim Khan, son of former prime minister Imran Khan, has urged supporters not to march towards or protest near Adiala Jail during PTI’s planned September 27 mobilisation, warning that such a gathering could put his father’s safety at risk.
In a post on X, Kasim said he had been instructed to make the appeal amid concerns that a demonstration outside the prison could be used as justification for what he described as a “counter” assault on the facility.
“I’ve been instructed to call on the public not to attempt to march or protest nearby Adiala jail on 27. I’ve heard from sources that this may be used as an excuse for the establishment to launch a ‘counter’ assault on the jail (Which my father is being held in), which could endanger his life. Please do not give them any reasons for ‘accidents’ to happen to my father during the protest,” Kasim wrote.
His claims about a possible assault on the prison were not accompanied by evidence in the report, and no response from the government or security authorities to the allegation was included.
PTI has called for nationwide mobilisation on September 27 to press for the release of Imran Khan, who has remained imprisoned since August 2023 following convictions in multiple cases.
The planned protest comes amid heightened security measures in Punjab. Authorities have imposed Section 144 across the province from September 23 to October 5, restricting gatherings of five or more people in public places and on roads.
The provincial notification cited security concerns, including what authorities described as a “serious and imminent threat” to public peace and safety from militant and terrorist organisations and hostile intelligence agencies.
Authorities have also sought the deployment of Pakistan Rangers in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali as part of security preparations surrounding the planned demonstrations.
The political tensions have intensified following the detention of three of Imran Khan’s sisters. Aleema Khan was detained last week, while Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi were subsequently ordered detained for 30 days under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order law.
Kasim’s appeal specifically concerns demonstrations around Adiala Jail and does not, according to the material provided, amount to a call for cancellation of PTI’s wider September 27 protest.