Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s sisters Aleema Khan, Uzma Khanum and Noreen Niazi, along with senior PTI leaders, were denied permission to meet the former prime minister on Tuesday.

Family members and party leaders had gathered outside the jail, but officials did not allow the meeting to proceed.

After the refusal, Aleema Khan and senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja began consultations on the party’s legal and political response.

Security around the jail and adjoining areas was significantly intensified due to PTI’s planned protest.

Police shut shops, petrol pumps and educational institutions in Dahgal and Gorakhpur, while Adiala Road, the main route to the jail, was also sealed.

Additional contingents of security personnel were deployed, and water cannons were placed on standby for immediate action under Section 144.

Aleema Khan and dozens of PTI workers staged a sit-in at the Factory checkpoint, chanting slogans and demanding permission to meet the former premier.

Earlier, police stopped Aleema, Uzma and Noreen at the Gorakhpur checkpoint before later allowing them to walk towards the protest site.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan also reached the Dahgal checkpoint and later spoke to the media.

He said meeting the PTI founder was their legal right, and the party had been visiting in line with court orders. He warned that Pakistan could not bear more instability and urged political forces to ease tensions instead of treating each other as enemies.

Barrister Gohar said repeated denial of family meetings should not become a political tool, adding that both relatives and lawyers must be allowed access under jail rules.

He acknowledged National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq’s “positive role” on the issue and said leaders such as Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir were empowered for political dialogue.

Last week, Imran Khan’s sister Uzma Khanum met him for the first time in a month.

She later told journalists that the PTI founder was in good health but “angry” and alleged he was being subjected to psychological pressure.

Responding to that claim, Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah said the meeting was allowed only on the condition that no press briefing would follow.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar maintained that visitation rules are strictly enforced and those who violate them face temporary restrictions.

Adiala Jail holds family and lawyer visitation days on Tuesdays and Thursdays.