ISLAMABAD:
The federal government warned on Thursday that anyone who engages in political talk after meeting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in Adiala jail would lose visiting rights, saying long-standing prison rules leave no room for such behaviour.
In a joint press conference with Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said reports had confirmed that Imran Khan’s sisters held political talks after their meetings, leading authorities to suspend Uzma Khan’s visitation privileges.
He warned that any person who violates jail rules or creates disorder outside Adiala will face strict action. Law Minister Tarar stressed that prison rules prohibit the publication of any conversation that takes place during such visits.
The law minister said that the Adiala jail is operating under the Punjab government and Islamabad’s new facility is yet to become operational. He stressed that according to jail rules, the jailed PTI founder is barred from political discussion during meetings.
He said the prison manual allows a convicted prisoner one supervised meeting a week with no more than six visitors, and allows only one letter a week, none of which must contain political material or information intended to be published.
“Imran Khan is a convicted prisoner and cannot receive unsupervised visits,” he said, adding that under Rule 557, the superintendent can terminate or restrict visits if they appear to violate the rules or threaten public order.
Azam Nazeer Tarar said these rules had been in place for decades. He recalled that a judge had once suspended certain rules and noted that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was allowed to meet in Adiala jail but not in Kot Lakhpat due to the same provisions.
He added that during Imran Khan’s own premiership, he opposed such permits to convicted prisoners and even took the matter to the Supreme Court. “Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz, despite being in the same jail, were not allowed to meet each other,” he said.
Responding to a question, he criticized the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister for saying he had to consult Imran Khan on the formation of his cabinet, and warned that any attempt – or even discussion – of bypassing prison security would invite a firm state response.
The information minister accused PTI leaders of spreading allegations in Indian and Afghan media that Imran’s life was in danger, calling it propaganda aimed at damaging Pakistan internationally. He said the PTI founder is enjoying facilities never given to any other prisoner.
