Shifting ground in Pakistan’s power struggle 

December 3, 2025

After weeks of repeated denials, one of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sisters was permitted to meet him at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail on Tuesday, as reported by Dawn. The development comes at a time of heightened political tension in Pakistan, with Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party warning of nationwide protests over what it describes as continued restrictions and mistreatment of its incarcerated leader. The meeting marks the first significant access granted to a family member after a prolonged period in which Khan was largely isolated from direct contact with relatives and senior party figures.

According to the report, jail authorities approved the visit under strict monitoring. For weeks, members of Khan’s family had attempted to secure permission for a meeting, but their requests were turned down repeatedly on administrative and security grounds. PTI leaders had argued that denying routine family access violated standard prison protocols and reflected a deliberate attempt to disconnect Khan from the outside world. The issue had escalated in recent days as PTI supporters warned of widespread agitation if authorities continued to block family meetings.

Sources familiar with the situation had earlier told CNN-News18 that jail authorities were preparing to allow limited interaction between Khan and his sister Uzma. However, the permission came with strict conditions. Officials reportedly conveyed that any approved visitor, including lawyers, would be subject to a gag order that barred discussion of political matters, especially issues relating to social media posts or communications. The authorities made clear that the meeting would be confined to personal matters and monitored closely to ensure compliance with the restrictions.

The imposition of a gag order reflects the government’s concerns about the political influence Khan continues to wield from behind bars. Despite his imprisonment, Khan remains a central figure in Pakistani politics. His party, though battered by arrests, defections and legal challenges, continues to draw significant public sympathy. Authorities have repeatedly expressed worries that communication from Khan could spark political unrest or mobilise supporters, especially through online platforms where PTI maintains a strong presence.

Reports also suggest that the approval of the meeting may have been influenced by increasing pressure from PTI supporters, who had recently announced plans for demonstrations across major cities. PTI leaders claimed that preventing Khan from meeting family members was an attempt to break his resolve and weaken the party’s morale. In response, officials argued that all decisions regarding prison visits were taken strictly according to law and security assessments, and not under political influence.

The security environment around Adiala Jail has remained tense for months. Khan is being held there in relation to several high-profile cases, including corruption charges and allegations connected to state secrets. His incarceration follows a turbulent political cycle marked by his removal from office through a parliamentary vote in 2022, subsequent protests, and a series of legal battles that have reshaped Pakistan’s political landscape. PTI maintains that the cases against Khan are politically motivated, aimed at preventing him from returning to power.

The latest development has renewed debate over the treatment of political prisoners in Pakistan. Human rights activists have questioned why a former prime minister is being kept under such severe restrictions, arguing that family visits are a fundamental right even under stringent security conditions. Government officials, however, insist that Khan is being treated in accordance with prison rules and that certain limitations are necessary due to his political influence and the volatile environment surrounding his detention.

For PTI supporters, the meeting represents a small but significant breakthrough. The party has said that family access should be regularised and not used as a tool of pressure. Meanwhile, authorities have not indicated whether this visit signals a change in policy or whether future meetings will continue to be tightly controlled.

Khan’s legal team has also welcomed the development, arguing that improved access for family and lawyers is essential for preparing his defence. They point out that restrictions on communication impair Khan’s ability to consult meaningfully with his legal advisers, especially in complex cases involving multiple charges.

As tensions remain high, the political implications of this development extend beyond a simple family visit. It comes at a time when Pakistan’s political environment remains fragile, public dissatisfaction is rising, and the country’s major parties are engaged in fierce contests over legitimacy. Whether this marks the beginning of a more flexible approach by authorities or a one-time concession remains uncertain, but the decision has already added a new dimension to the ongoing confrontation between the state and PTI.