‘Time To Free Imran’: Sisters Of Former Pakistan PM Demand Immediate Release, Threaten Sit-In

Last Updated:January 20, 2026, 23:17 IST

The sisters accused authorities of violating court orders and the Pakistani Constitution while demanding Imran Khan’s immediate release.

Imran Khan's sisters warned of protests and sit-ins, accusing authorities of blocking meetings and disregarding court orders. (IMAGE: SOURCED)

Sisters of jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan on Tuesday stepped up their criticism of authorities, accusing the government and police officials of violating court orders and the Pakistani Constitution while denying Khan regular access to visitors and legal counsel.

Speaking to CNN-News18, sources close to Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan said the family was not seeking symbolic gestures but his release, insisting that Khan continued to command widespread public support across Pakistan. “Imran Khan is the leader of Pakistan, and all of Pakistan wants Imran Khan’s release," Aleema Khan was quoted as saying.

Aleema alleged that constitutional norms were repeatedly violated, including delays in formally notifying opposition leaders in parliament. “For months, by not issuing notifications, the Speaker and others have broken the Constitution," she said, adding that those who “steal the mandate" and undermine institutions end up ruling the country.

CNN-News18 has been tracking developments around Imran Khan’s detention over the past week.

On Monday, sources close to Aleema Khan said that while her brother was being kept in solitary confinement, he remained “strong and will not break."

She questioned why he continued to remain in jail even after recent constitutional amendments were passed, alleging that a small group of lawmakers had manipulated the process.

Officers Demanding Bribes

On Tuesday, she levelled serious allegations against local police officials, claiming officers at checkpoints were stopping vehicles and demanding bribes. Referring to a police officer by name, Aleema said vehicles were being seized and money demanded from ordinary citizens. She added that while she and her sisters were allowed to pass through checkpoints, others were stopped arbitrarily.

Aleema said court orders allowing meetings with Imran Khan were being ignored. “According to the law, 24 people can meet him in a week. This permission has already been granted by different benches of the court," she said. Despite this, she claimed that over the past three months, Khan’s contact with the outside world had been limited to about an hour in total. “If the meeting is not arranged today, we will sit in protest here," she warned.

‘Court Orders Nullified’

Meanwhile, sources close to Imran Khan’s sister-in-law Noreen Niazi said she had conveyed similar concerns, accusing authorities of making repeated promises that were never fulfilled. “They are afraid of us and have already been defeated," Noreen was quoted as saying by sources who spoke to CNN-News18, adding, “They make false promises every time. Now we no longer trust a word they say."

Noreen also alleged that court orders from the Islamabad High Court were being openly disregarded by police officers on the ground. “We bring the court order, but the SHO does not even look at it. The authority of judges has been nullified," she said.

She added that protests planned around February 8 would go ahead, saying supporters would continue to mobilise on the streets.

Imran Khan, 73, has been in prison since August 2023 following multiple cases filed against him after his removal from office in April 2022.

His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, has claimed he has been denied access to legal counsel and basic facilities, describing his prolonged solitary confinement as a violation of international norms.

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