PTI chief begins jail term ‘without complaining’

RAWALPINDI:

 

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan started his three-year jail term in the Toshakhana case at the Attock district prison, where he was being treated according to the Jail Manual, it was learnt on Sunday.

The PTI chairman was convicted by the additional sessions judge of Islamabad on Saturday. He was arrested from Lahore and taken directly to the Attock prison by road, where he spent his first night and day of the jail term.

Jail sources said that the former prime minister had been lodged in a high-security barrack, where the authorities had made strict security arrangements, putting in place with various security layers.

The sources said commandos of the Prisons Department had been stationed around the barracks inside the jail, while the prison police were deployed on the outer cordon. The police and Rangers had been deployed outside the prison.

According to the sources, the PTI chief underwent a medical check-up upon reaching the jail. He was then transferred to the allocated barrack, where he spent his first night and the first day of captivity on Sunday.

Also, according to the Jail Manual, Imran was provided with other essential items such as a towel, tissue papers, mineral water, reading glasses, prayer beads, watches, chairs, and a mat for sleeping on the floor.

In the barrack, the former prime minister was given dinner according to the Jail Manual. The PTI chief began his jail term by offering Isha prayers. He also woke up early to offer Tahajjud prayers.

Later, he offered the Fajr prayer before sitting for breakfast. The breakfast consisted of bread slices, butter, fried and boiled eggs, and tea. At noon, he was given lunch, which comprised Dal-Roti (bread and pulses). However, the sources said, he only ate fruits.

The PTI chief had also brought some books along with him and spent most of the day in reading. It was learnt that that initially, Imran’s reading glasses were misplaced during his transfer to jail. However, it was found from the luggage, he had with him.

Imran was awarded three-year jail term by Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Humayun Dilawar, in the case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for concealing Toshakhana gifts he had retained.

Following the conviction, the judge issued his arrest warrant, which was complied with in Lahore. After the arrest, the PTI chief was initially being shifted to the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi by road amid tight security.

However, because of security concerns, the plan was changed. Later, the police convoy carrying the PTI chief was diverted from Islamabad Motorway at 26 roundabout to the Attock Jail via Hasan Abdal.

In the Attock jail, arrangements were made for Imran in the same barrack where former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, former chief ministers, and other political figures had spent time in the past.

Nawaz was given better class, which included TV, newspapers, reading and writing materials, stationery, a small fridge or room cooler, bed, and amenities. However, Imran linked these facilities to the permission from the home department or the court.

Meanwhile, Naeem Haider Panjotha, a lawyer for the former prime minister, said he could not get permission from the relevant authorities for a meeting with his client in the Attock Jail.

“We have contacted the Attock Jail superintendent and the additional home secretary to meet [with Imran] but we are not allowed,” Panjotha said. “We wanted to sign power of attorney and other documents. This is our legal right.”
The Attock jail sources said that on the first night and first day of imprisonment, the PTI chairman must have been a bit anxious but he did not complain and kept his morale high.

On the other hand, there were reports of transfer of Imran from Attock Jail to the Adiala Jail. However, prison authorities said that immediate transfer was not under consideration.