Sky will be covered with "Qaidi No.804 kites" on Basant in Lahore: Aleema

Aleema Khan has said that the process of shutting down Pakistan will begin on 8 February, following a call by the Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aain movement.

She stated that the entire country would be shut down and that this would only be the beginning, adding that people would later be seen on the streets as well.

Speaking to the media at Marble Factory Naka alongside her two sisters, Aleema Khan said that although Tuesdays are designated for family and lawyers’ meetings, they have not been allowed to meet the PTI founder.

She claimed that over the past year, only around two dozen meetings have taken place and alleged that the founder has been kept in solitary confinement to subject him to torture.

She said their last meeting took place on 2 December, while Salman Safdar met him on 20 December but was only allowed an eight-minute meeting.

Aleema Khan alleged that authorities had tried to portray the founder as mentally unstable but failed, adding that he remains imprisoned for the sake of the nation. She described her family as fortunate to have such a person among them.

Aleema Khan further said that the founder has faced all cases against him and has made great sacrifices for Pakistan.

She claimed that for over a year, his appeals have not been heard and alleged that authorities are unable to find judges willing to deliver verdicts against him in what she described as false cases.

She criticised Judge Dogar, claiming he has become an obstacle in legal proceedings, and said that if he cannot deliver justice, he should step aside to allow courageous judges to provide justice to the people of Pakistan.

Reiterating the call for a shutdown on 8 February, Aleema Khan urged citizens to close transport services and shops for one day as a form of protest, saying that such action would send a strong message.

She also said that although a nationwide shutdown was announced for 8 February, authorities had instead announced Basant celebrations, adding that kites would be flown with “Prisoner 804” written on them.