Govt considers moving Imran Khan from Adiala as tensions rise

ISLAMABAD: The federal government is weighing proposals to transfer Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from Adiala jail amid a fresh spike in political confrontation. Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ikhtiar Wali warned that the confrontation has reached a point from which a return seems difficult, while officials argue PTI is seeking to stoke unrest under the cover of protests.

Wali told reporters that moving the prisoner is under serious consideration. He also accused Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi of links with drug smugglers and claimed members of the CM’s family were involved in the narcotics trade under his patronage.

The remarks follow a sit-in by Khan’s sisters outside Adiala jail that ended with police using water cannon to disperse supporters, and the arrests of several PTI workers. Authorities have already imposed a blanket ban on meetings with the incarcerated former premier after weeks of confrontations.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, calling for dialogue within parliament, lamented that the opposition prefers engagement with military leadership. PTI leaders, including Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Asad Qaiser, decried the use of force and rejected any “minus” formula, insisting their party seeks peace and abides by the law.