Punjab prison addresses Aleema concerns over health, safety of jailed PTI founder
Imran Khan orders to expel absent legislators on the day of voting on the 26th constitutional amendment. PHOTO: PIXABAY
LAHORE/RAWALPINDI:
Punjab Prisons has declared that former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently detained in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, is fit and healthy and is receiving all the facilities to which he is legally entitled as per the jail manual.
The department issued the statement apparently in response to letters written to the Punjab Home Department and the Punjab Inspector General of Prisons by Imran’s sister Aleema Khan, who raised serious concerns about the health condition and safety of the PTI founder.
In the letters, Aleema claimed that no family member had been able to meet Imran Khan since November 4 and demanded that the family and lawyers be allowed to meet him immediately.
He stated that international media reports raised questions about Imran Khan’s safety and sought clarification on his condition and the circumstances of his detention.
He urged the Punjab government to respond promptly on Imran Khan’s well-being, adding that transparency must be ensured regarding the health and safety of the former prime minister.
In a statement issued on Friday, Punjab Prisons said Imran Khan was safe and in good health in the jail, where they have six barracks rooms at their disposal.
He said Bushra Bibi, Imran’s wife who is also imprisoned in the same facility, is allowed to meet him once a week and that he also has access to television and newspapers.
Imran, he said, is allowed to receive food, including desi chicken and fish, brought from outside once a week. The Punjab Prisons Department clarified that the meetings with the PTI founder are organized strictly according to the Jail Manual.
He said any meeting of visitors is carried out after reviewing the relevant rules and regulations, but clarified that matters occurring outside the jail premises are not the responsibility of the jail administration.
Meanwhile, security at Adiala jail has once again been on high alert due to possible threats and overall law and order situation, police sources told The Express PAkGazette. For the first time, five checkpoints have been established around the prison. A total of 700 police officers, including 23 inspectors, will carry out 24-hour security duties in different shifts. They said that the special security plan for the prison perimeter will remain in effect indefinitely. Heavy deployment has been made at five pickets around the jail including Naaka Dahgal, Gate-1, Gate-5, Factory Naaka and Gorakhpur. The work has been divided into two 12-hour shifts. SHOs from 12 police stations will also be on duty, along with women officers.
More than 700 personnel from the Riot Police Force (RMP), Punjab Police and various police stations will be deployed.
Sources said security personnel will be equipped with rubber bullets, tear gas, batons, shields and riot gear.
