Adiala inmates use unique code words for daily life

Originally built in 1986 for 3,000 prisoners and later expanded to accommodate 4,000 inmates, Adiala Jail currently houses nearly 7,000 prisoners and undertrial inmates, making it one of the largest prisons in Asia.

The prison includes local and foreign inmates from countries including the United States, Britain, Nigeria, India and Bangladesh.

During a recent hearing in the Islamabad High Court regarding meetings with the founding chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, government representatives stated that the superintendent of Adiala Jail was "the king of the jail" and operated with full autonomy in decision-making.

Inside the prison, inmates and undertrial prisoners have developed their own unique code words for various sections and practices of jail life.

According to prisoners, inmates who regularly pay money and gifts to jail staff are called "Sab Acha" prisoners or "Tori" prisoners, meaning prisoners with influence and privilege.

Such inmates can sleep and move around freely, use mobile phones and receive food from home.

They are also provided mattresses and comfortable bedding.

Prisoners unable to pay are forced to sleep on bare floors near washrooms without sheets or mats. These areas are referred to by inmates as the "Motorway".

The diluted tea served at breakfast is called "Scale" in prison slang.

A small piece of meat with watery gravy served once a week is referred to as "Diesel" while half-cooked bread served three times daily is known as "Nafri".

Watery lentils served in jail are called "Langar".

According to inmates, prisoners are made to sit without shoes during visits by the jail superintendent, judges or other officials to prevent anyone from throwing footwear.

Prisoners who stand up, complain or look directly at officials during inspections are allegedly considered guilty of serious misconduct and later subjected to physical punishment.

If two prisoners fight, both are reportedly confined to a small punishment cell known as "Qasuri", where inmates can only sit or lie down.

Prisoners placed in "Qasuri" are not even produced before courts during hearings.

Inmates returning from court appearances undergo complete body searches and any recovered money, cigarettes or items are confiscated.

Prisoners claimed cigarettes were extremely expensive inside the jail, with a pack of Gold Leaf selling for Rs800 and Capstan for Rs500.

With the onset of summer, prisoners, women inmates and children living with their mothers in jail were reportedly suffering from heat rashes.

Prisoners appealed to philanthropists to donate room coolers, fans and solar panels to improve living conditions inside the prison, where electricity outages are frequent.

They also urged welfare organisations distributing free meals in markets to send food to prisoners as well.

Several prisoners whose sentences have been completed reportedly remain imprisoned because they cannot pay fines imposed by courts.

Inmates appealed to philanthropists to help pay such fines so that poor prisoners could secure their release.

Prisoners also demanded immediate operationalisation of the Islamabad jail project so that around 3,000 inmates could be shifted from Adiala Jail, reducing overcrowding and allowing prisoners to sleep in rooms instead of on the "Motorway".