Police detain Haleem Adil Sheikh, over 20 PTI workers at Karachi Press Club protest

Police released the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Sindh President, Haleem Adil Sheikh as well as 24 male and female party leaders and workers who were detained on Friday during a protest outside the Karachi Press Club.

According to the PTI Sindh spokesperson, protesters were demonstrating against denial of meetings with Imran Khan when police took action against ‘peaceful protestors’ and PTI leaders and detained Sheikh along with many others, including Dawa Khan, Muazzam Khan, Yasir Baloch, Anwar Mehdi, Raza Yasir. Female leaders and workers were also taken into custody.

Sheikh and other senior leaders were shifted to the Preedy police station while female detainees were shifted to the Women Police Station.

Read: K-P CM ends Adiala sit-in after failed talks as security around jail tightened

SSP South Manzoor Ali had confirmed that several PTI leaders and workers were detained and action would be taken against them in accordance with the law.

Later, Sheikh and all detained male and female workers were released.

According to Muhammad Ali Baloch, media adviser to the PTI Sindh president, a large number of lawyers — including Insaf Lawyers Forum Sindh President Faisal Mughal — reached the police station and following the negotiations, Sheikh and all detained workers were freed.

PTI Karachi spokesperson confirmed to The Express Tribune that protesters detained during a demonstration outside the Karachi Press Club—including the party’s Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh and 23 other leaders and workers, including five women—have been released. DIG South Asad Raza also confirmed that the detained leaders and workers have been released.

Talking to the reporters after his release, Sheikh said the party had staged a peaceful demonstration to seek information about the health of their detained leader and to press for a meeting with him.

PTI leader alleged that police resorted to force as workers were already dispersing. “However, as we were leaving, the police attacked our female members and workers,” he said.

He thanked lawyers, party workers and supporters for reaching the police station and assisting in securing the release of all detainees.

Earlier, PTI had called the demonstration after authorities refused to allow a meeting with the party’s jailed founder, Imran Khan. A heavy police contingent, including a number of female personnel, was deployed around the press club ahead of the protest. Roads in the area were blocked. Buses, minibuses and other transport were diverted to alternate routes.

After Friday prayers, a group of female workers had gathered outside the press club, demanding a meeting with the party founder and former prime minister and calling for his release. They dispersed shortly afterwards. Later, a rally led by Sheikh managed to reach the press club and joined the protest.

Read More: Aleema files contempt plea against Adiala jailers for denying meeting with Imran

Addressing supporters, Sheikh said the party would continue its demonstrations until a meeting with the PTI founder was allowed. Workers raised slogans as more party workers and supporters also joined.

Police moved in to disperse the protest. Male and female officers detained several protesters, including Sheikh, who was taken into custody along with other leaders and workers and shifted to nearby police stations.Female party members were shifted to the Women Police Station. The surrounding area briefly descended into a confrontation zone as police and protesters engaged in a prolonged cat-and-mouse chase. Later, police cleared the location and opened the roads after PTI workers and leaders taken into custody and protestors were dispersed.

Speaking to the reporters, PTI MPA Sajid Hussain Mir said, “The party had staged a peaceful protest seeking a meeting with Khan, but police began detaining workers while they were already dispersing.” He condemned the detention of leaders and workers, including Sheikh.

Also Read: PTI demands meeting with Imran Khan, citing health worries

Speaking during the protest, Sheikh had said the entire nation had only one demand — permission to meet Imran Khan. He claimed the protest remained peaceful but ‘police attacked the workers’. “We will no longer tolerate this injustice,” he said.

The PTI spokesperson said protests across Sindh would continue against the denial of meetings with the party founder.

In a video statement posted on X, PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh accused police of attacking the party’s peaceful demonstration and misbehaving with the female protesters. “Our peaceful protest was attacked. Male police personnel also misbehaved with the women, and they will not be spared for this act,” he said.

Sheikh demanded of the authorities disclose the well-being of PTI founder Imran Khan and allow party leaders to meet him immediately. “Tell us about Khan’s condition, arrange our meeting with him. Shoot us if you want— we do not care about our own lives,” he added.

PTI Secretary for Information Sheikh Waqas Akram also claimed that male police officers had misbehaved with the female protesters, calling it ‘a disgraceful and punishable act’.

Imran has been incarcerated since August 2023, serving a 14-year sentence on corruption charges. His party says prolonged isolation violates prison rules. Online campaigns have pushed the hashtag “WHEREISIMRANKHAN”.

Speculation over Imran’s possible transfer to a more restrictive facility has circulated on local media. However, a senior jail official told Reuters the ex-premier was in good health and that no relocation had been planned. The official declined to be named due to protocol.