Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan is lodged in Adiala jail. Now the family is claiming that Imran Khan is being kept in very bad conditions. Also, his sisters have expressed concern over their brother’s health and condition. The family says that they are not being allowed to meet Imran Khan. Where currently Imran Khan is lodged in Adiala jail. Let us understand how dangerous this jail is and what is its history. The don of Pakistan has called this jail like Tihar Jail of India.
Central Jail Rawalpindi, also known as Adiala Jail. This prison is notorious for housing the most dangerous and high-profile prisoners of Pakistan. Imran Khan has been in jail since August 2023, when he was sentenced in several corruption cases. The prison where he is kept houses all kinds of dangerous prisoners, from extremists and terrorists to crime syndicate leaders, foreign prisoners, death row inmates and the country’s most famous political figures.
How dangerous is the history of jail?
If we look at the history of this jail, in April 1979, former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was hanged inside this complex. After his death, General Zia-ul-Haq modernized the facility, adding playgrounds, rehabilitation programs and educational schemes.
According to the data of Punjab Prisons Department, Adiala Jail had a capacity of only 1,900 prisoners, but currently about 6 thousand prisoners, including women, are kept here.
Overcrowding and terrible conditions
Overcrowding has forced thousands of prisoners into poorly ventilated, dark cells, where they are at risk of disease, malnutrition and sometimes death. Even though as per jail law, food consisting of meat, rice and sweets is mandatory, the reality is completely different. Food quality is often very low due to scams and bad suppliers.
One prisoner told Dawn: The meat smells like diesel instead of cooking oil. Drinking water is available from borewells, due to which the prisoners are at risk of many diseases.
Mobile services stopped due to security
Following a request from jail officials, the district administration shut down mobile services within a 5-km radius — which extends to the nearby village of Gorakhpur. Neighboring settlements are also regularly searched so that possible suspects can be detected.
Adiala jail has also come into international headlines
Adiala Jail also came into global limelight when Prince Charles visited it. At that time, British citizen Mirza Tahir, who was on death row, was awaiting his execution.
Later, the then President Pervez Musharraf reduced his sentence and commuted it to life imprisonment, after which he was sent to Britain.
Did Imran’s sisters make allegations?
Imran Khan’s sisters — Naureen Niazi, Alima Khan and Dr Uzma Khan — have earlier alleged that they were not allowed to meet their brother for the past three weeks and were brutally attacked outside the jail premises when they attempted to meet him.
Imran Khan remained the center of online discussion for two days, when Afghan media outlets claimed that the former prime minister had died in custody. Afghanistan Times said the 72-year-old leader died due to alleged torture and his body was taken out of the prison.
Jail officials refuted this report and said, there is no truth in the reports regarding his transfer from Adiala jail. He is completely healthy and is getting complete medical facilities. Government officials also rejected these claims. After this, Alima Khan and PTI supporters ended their protest after the police assured that arrangements for the meeting would be made.
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