Opposition demands clarity over Adiala Jail control

Lawmakers decry restrictions on meetings with Imran Khan despite SC orders

LAHORE:

The Opposition in the Punjab Assembly on Thursday demanded that the provincial government clarify whether Adiala Jail falls under its administrative control, and if so, why lawmakers and family members are repeatedly denied permission to meet Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan, despite clear directives from the Supreme Court.

Opposition Leader Ahmad Khan Bhachar voiced strong criticism over what he described as the government's failure to implement court orders. Recalling an incident on April 17, he said he and others, including Imran Khan's sisters, were manhandled and refused access during a visit to the jail.

"If the courts' orders are not going to be implemented, then we might as well propose shutting down the courts," Bhachar said during the session. "If the provincial government has no authority over Adiala, it should state so clearly. At least then the public will know who is responsible."

He questioned the rationale behind the refusal to allow visits, stating, "Are Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Ijaz Chaudhry, Dr Yasmeen Rashid, and Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed terrorists? Why are we not allowed to meet them?"

Drawing a parallel with the past, Bhachar argued that political parties have never been eliminated by authoritarian tactics. "Did Ziaul Haq succeed in ending the PPP?" he asked rhetorically.

Responding to the Opposition's criticism, Provincial Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman shifted the blame onto the PTI leadership, claiming the current situation was a consequence of the party's "compromised politics."

"Everyone knows how PTI came to power in 2018. Jahangir Tareen's plane wasn't just flying for leisure," he remarked.

"Was Mian Shehbaz Sharif not the opposition leader when he was jailed? Were our lawmakers not imprisoned back then?"

Without naming anyone directly, the minister added sarcastically, "Go and apologise - you will get relief."