Salman Akram Raja, the lawyer who represented Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) foundation chairman Imran Khan, clash with the staff of Adiala Prison Monday after refusing access to meet his client.
The incident took place when Raja tried to meet Khan, who is currently jailed in the facility, reported Express News.
According to Raja, the prison staff initially denied his request without giving a clear reason, which led to a confrontation.
Azam Khan Swati, Nadia Khattak, Tabish Farooq, Mubashir Awan and Ansar Kiyani were allowed to meet Imran. However, Salman Akram Raja, Shoaib Shaheen and Niazullah Niazi were blocked to enter, causing Raja to question the decision.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the selective approval of visitors with prison staff at Gate 5.
Raja questioned why certain names from their list were denied while others were allowed, saying, “We provided a list of names, but only Azam Swati gained access. Why were the others not allowed?”
The prisoner allegedly responded by explaining that the staff treated these names first and would take the remaining requests afterwards.
Raja claimed that this was not in accordance with the court’s instructions that had specified that certain lawyers, including themselves, should access.
Standoff continued when Raja insisted that if his team was not allowed to meet with Khan, none of the visitors should have access. Raja emphasized the importance of complying with court decisions and warned that omission of it would interfere with Khan.
The prison administration later confirmed that the meetings with Khan had been limited for security reasons, but not elaborated specific conditions.
