Network 'facilitating' Imran Khan in Adiala Jail uncovered

Security agencies have made a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into facilitation provided to the incarcerated PTI founding chairman, Imran Khan, at Adiala Jail.

Sources revealed on Thursday that a complete network linked to ex-Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Akram has been dismantled, and questioning of two additional jail officers has commenced.

The two officers under scrutiny include Assistant Nazir and former Deputy Superintendent Zafar, both close associates of Akram. Based on information obtained from Akram, further interrogations of six jail employees are planned.

Sources also disclosed that evidence has been found of mobile phones used for WhatsApp communication on numbers linked to three European countries.

Akram is alleged to have facilitated communication for the PTI founder, maintaining close ties with PTI leader Zulfi Bukhari and a former Punjab minister.

Also read: Adiala Jail official in hot water for 'facilitating' Imran

Akram was shown the door on June 20, with Deputy Superintendent Judicial Tahir Siddique Shah stepping in to take on as the new security supervisor for Imran Khan.

The Punjab Home Department (Prison Section) issued a notification that not only removed Akram from his post but also instructed him to report to the Prisons Department in Lahore.

Reports suggest that Akram is accused of secretly relaying messages from the jailed PTI founder to the outside world.

Upon completion of the probe, Akram is expected to face departmental action.

Jail administration is expected to meet today to discuss the unauthorised privileges provided to Khan.

The former prime minister has been imprisoned for over a year on various charges, including the Toshakhana case, cypher case, and allegations of unIslamic marriage. His wife, Bushra Bibi, has also been in custody for several months.

Although a court suspended his sentence in the Toshakhana case and other convictions related to the cypher and Iddat cases were overturned, hopes for their release in July were thwarted when the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested them on new charges concerning the sale of state gifts.

Khan's prospects of release have further dimmed following additional arrests by Lahore Police related to the May 9, 2023 riots. These riots erupted after his arrest from the Islamabad High Court premises last year, during which protesters targeted government and military installations.