Islamabad, April 9 (NationPress) Authorities in Pakistan have initiated legal proceedings against the siblings of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with various lawmakers from both the national and provincial assemblies, and approximately 1,400 unnamed individuals under anti-terrorism statutes following disturbances on Adiala Road in Rawalpindi, as reported by local news sources.

According to law enforcement, the FIR was lodged on Wednesday, prompted by a complaint from the Sub-Inspector overseeing the Adiala checkpost, which includes allegations of attempted murder and defiance against law enforcement.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by Imran Khan, had organized a “peaceful demonstration” in response to the prohibitions on visiting Khan, who is currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail.

However, authorities imposed Section 144 across the district, prohibiting public assemblies for a duration of 15 days.

Reports indicate that Pakistani law enforcement curtailed the protest outside the jail by arresting numerous party leaders and activists, including Khan's sisters, amidst the extensive restrictions enacted throughout Rawalpindi.

The complaint claimed that demonstrators hurled stones at police, resulting in injuries to nine officers.

Police reported that 41 suspects were apprehended at the scene but subsequently escaped, while several others managed to flee.

The FIR documented damage to both governmental and private vehicles during the unrest triggered by the stone-throwing and the use of sticks.

Law enforcement accused the defendants of attempting to instigate chaos for political advantage to pressure the provincial government in Punjab, as mentioned by the Pakistani daily, Express Tribune.

Meanwhile, a prominent international human rights organization condemned the detention of PTI supporters protesting outside Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, describing it as “unlawful” and “yet another instance of the suppression of the right to protest” within the nation.

Amnesty International reported that those detained, including Khan’s sisters, Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khanum, had gathered at the jail premises for their court-mandated weekly family visits, which have been barred since December 2, 2025.

Expressing concern over the situation, the rights organization stated, “Instead of supporting lawful visitation, authorities responded with arbitrary detention, tear gas, and baton charges. Imran Khan’s sisters and other female protesters were forcibly held for hours in a closed shop near the jail, while many others were detained outdoors for nearly five hours amidst heavy rain.”

“This incident reflects a broader trend of targeting PTI supporters and the family of former Prime Minister Imran Khan by criminalizing peaceful demonstrations and employing sweeping and arbitrary bans through Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure as a means to silence dissent,” it added.

Amnesty International urged Pakistani authorities to promptly halt their crackdown on peaceful protests, uphold the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and ensure unobstructed access to court-mandated family visits for Khan.

Over the past few months, the PTI has organized sit-ins outside Adiala jail every Tuesday and Thursday, the court-approved days for visiting Khan, who continues to face limitations on meeting his family members and party leaders.