Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan‘s son Kasim Khan has urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters not to march towards Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail during the party’s planned September 27 protest, warning that such a move could be used by Pakistani authorities as a pretext for a “counter” assault on the prison and put his father’s life at risk.The warning comes ahead of the PTI’s planned protest and march, which is being held to demand Imran Khan’s release.The former premier has been in prison since August 2023 following convictions in multiple cases.In a post on X, Kasim said he had been asked to appeal to supporters against gathering near Adiala jail.“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’s post read.His appeal comes as security measures have been stepped up across Punjab ahead of the 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 on roads and in public places. Authorities have also sought the deployment of Pakistan Rangers in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali.The restrictions have been imposed citing security concerns. A provincial notification referred to a “serious and imminent threat” to public peace and safety from militant and terrorist organisations and hostile intelligence agencies.The planned protest comes amid the detention of three of Imran Khan’s sisters. Aleema Khan was detained last week, followed by Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, who were detained for 30 days under the Punjab maintenance of public order ordinance.On Thursday, the Lahore high court refused to immediately suspend the detention orders against Uzma and Noreen. The court issued notices to the respondents and sought their replies before taking up the plea further.The detentions have added to tensions ahead of the September 27 mobilisation.According to Dawn, lawyers for Uzma and Noreen told the Lahore high court that the two women were “non-political” and had been detained without sufficient legal justification. The court decided to wait for the authorities’ response before ruling on their request to suspend the detention orders.Kasim had earlier criticised the detention of his aunts and other relatives and called for international attention to the issue.“This is a disgrace. Now my Aunts Dr. Uzma and Noreen, along with my cousins Shershah and Shahrez, have now been abducted as well. They have broken into my aunties’ and cousins’ houses and forced them into vehicles with no explanation. No reasons for arrest have been stated,” he said in a post on X.Pakistani authorities have said the preventive detentions and restrictions are linked to public-order and security concerns. The Punjab government’s notification specifically cited threats from militant organisations and other security risks while announcing the province-wide restrictions.The September 27 PTI protest is expected to add to the political and security pressure surrounding Imran Khan’s continued incarceration, with authorities tightening restrictions and increasing security in areas linked to the planned mobilisation.
