Officials assuage fears over Imran’s health

Punjab Prison addresses Aleema’s worries over jailed PTI founder’s health and safety

LAHORE/RAWALPINDI:

The Punjab Prisons has stated former prime minister Imran Khan — who is currently detained at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail — is hale and hearty and that he is getting all the facilities that he is legally entitled to under the jail manual.

The department issued the statement apparently in response to the letters written to the Punjab Home Department and the Punjab Prisons inspector general by Imran’s sister Aleema Khan, who expressed serious concerns about the health condition and safety of the PTI founder.

In the letters, Aleema stated that no family member had been able to meet Imran Khan since November 4 and demanded that family, and lawyers be allowed to meet him immediately.

She stated that international media reports were raising questions about Imran Khan’s security, seeking clarification about his condition and the circumstances of his detention. 

She urged the Punjab government to promptly respond regarding Imran Khan’s well-being, adding that transparency must be ensured regarding the former PM’s health and safety.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Punjab Prisons said Imran Khan was safe and in good health in jail, where six rooms of a barrack are at his disposal. 

It said Bushra Bibi — Imran’s wife who is also incarcerated at the same facility — is allowed to meet him once a week while he also has access to TV and newspapers.

Imran, it said, is permitted to have food — including desi chicken and fish — brought from outside once a week.  The Punjab Prisons Department clarified that meetings with the PTI founder are arranged strictly in accordance with the Jail Manual.

It said any visitor’s meeting is conducted after reviewing the relevant rules and regulations but clarified that matters occurring outside jail premises are not the jail administration’s responsibility.

Meanwhile, security at Adiala Jail has once again been placed on high alert due to potential threats and the overall law-and-order situation, police sources told The Express Tribune. For the first time, five checkpoints have been established around the jail. A total of 700 police personnel, including 23 inspectors, will perform 24-hour security duties in different shifts. They said the special security plan for the prison’s perimeter will remain in force indefinitely. Heavy deployment has been made at five pickets around the jail, including Naaka Dahgal, Gate-1, Gate-5, Factory Naaka, and Gorakhpur. Duty has been divided into two 12-hour shifts. SHOs of 12 police stations, along with female officers, will also be on duty.

More than 700 personnel from the Riot Management Police (RMP) Force, the Punjab Constabulary, and various police stations will be deployed.
Sources said security staff will be equipped with rubber bullets, tear-gas, batons, shields, and anti-riot gear.