Imran Khan's Son Warns of "Counterassault" as Pakistan Tightens Security Ahead of Sept 27 PTI Protest for His Release

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s son Kasim Khan has urged supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to avoid marching towards Adiala jail during the party’s planned September 27 protest, warning that such a move could potentially put his father’s life at risk. The PTI has called for the September 27 mobilisation to demand Imran Khan’s release. The former premier has remained in prison since August 2023 after being convicted in several cases.

In a post on X, Kasim Khan said he had been asked to appeal to supporters not to gather near Adiala jail. He claimed that a protest in the vicinity of the prison could be used as a pretext for authorities to launch what he described as a “counter” assault on the facility where his father is being held. Kasim urged supporters not to create circumstances that could provide an opportunity for an incident involving Imran Khan during the protest. His comments come as Pakistani authorities have stepped up security measures across Punjab ahead of the planned PTI mobilisation.

The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province from September 23 to October 5, restricting public gatherings of five or more people in public areas and on roads. Authorities have also sought the deployment of Pakistan Rangers in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali. The provincial administration has cited security concerns behind the restrictions, pointing to what it described as a serious and imminent threat to public order and safety from militant and terrorist organisations as well as hostile intelligence agencies.

The situation has been further complicated by the detention of members of Imran Khan’s family. His sister Aleema Khan was detained last week, followed by the detention of his sisters Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi for 30 days under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance. The Lahore High Court on Thursday declined to immediately suspend the detention orders against Uzma and Noreen. The court issued notices to the relevant authorities and sought their responses before taking up the request for suspension.

Lawyers representing the two women argued before the court that they were not politically active and had been detained without sufficient legal justification. The court, however, decided to await the authorities’ response before making a decision. Kasim Khan had earlier criticised the detention of his relatives and called for international attention to the developments. He alleged that his aunts and cousins had been taken from their homes without being given clear reasons for their detention.

Pakistani authorities have maintained that the preventive detentions and restrictions are related to public-order and security concerns. The Punjab government’s notification specifically referred to potential threats from militant groups and other security risks. With the September 27 protest approaching, the measures imposed by authorities and the detention of Imran Khan’s relatives have added to the political tensions surrounding the former prime minister’s continued imprisonment. The PTI is seeking his release, while authorities have continued to justify the restrictions on security and public-order grounds.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.