Punjab Prison addresses Aleema’s concerns over jailed PTI founder’s health and safety
Imran Khan orders to expel absentee lawmakers from polling day for 26th constitutional amendment. PHOTO: PIXABAY
LAHORE/RAWALPINDI:
Punjab Prisons have stated that former Prime Minister Imran Khan – who is currently detained in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail – is fit and healthy and is being provided with all the facilities to which he is legally entitled under the prison manual.
The department issued the statement apparently in response to the letters written to the Punjab Home Department and Punjab Prisons Inspector General by Imran’s sister Aleema Khan, who expressed serious concerns over the PTI founder’s health and safety.
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 raised questions about Imran Khan’s safety and sought clarification on his condition and the circumstances surrounding his detention.
She urged the Punjab government to take immediate action regarding Imran Khan’s well-being, adding that transparency should be ensured regarding the former prime minister’s health and safety.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Punjab Prisons said that Imran Khan was safe and in good health in the prison, where six rooms in a barrack are at his disposal.
That said Bushra Bibi – Imran’s wife, who is also imprisoned at the same facility – is allowed to see him once a week, while he also has access to television and newspapers.
Imran, it said, is allowed to have food – including desi chicken and fish – brought in 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 that any visiting meeting is held after reviewing the relevant rules and regulations, but clarified that matters arising outside the prison premises are not the responsibility of the prison administration.
Meanwhile, security at the Adiala jail has again been put on high alert due to potential threats and the overall law and order situation, police sources told The Express Pakinomist. For the first time, five checkpoints have been established around the prison. 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 perimeter will remain in place indefinitely. Heavy deployment has been made at five pickets around the jail including Naaka Dahgal, Gate-1, Gate-5, Factory Naaka and Gorakhpur. The shift has been divided into two 12-hour shifts. SHOs of 12 police stations along with women officers will also be on duty.
More than 700 personnel from Riot Management Police (RMP) Force, Punjab Constabulary and various police stations will be deployed.
Sources said the security personnel will be equipped with rubber bullets, tear gas, batons, shields and anti-riot gear.
