“Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has encountered a setback as he has been prohibited from holding meetings within Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail for a duration of two weeks, according to a recent media report.
The directive, issued by Pakistan Punjab’s Home Department, stipulates a halt on all forms of visits, meetings, and interviews within Adiala Jail due to prevailing security alerts, as reported by Geo News.
In response to the security concerns, the notification mandates the installation of barbed wires around the jail premises. Furthermore, it calls for an urgent security evaluation involving officials from the special branch of the police, the Intelligence Bureau, and the jail staff, to be completed within a single day.
The abrupt restriction on Imran Khan’s interactions within the prison has sparked intense apprehension, particularly expressed by PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan, who voiced fears for the former Prime Minister’s safety, as reported by The News.
During a press briefing outside the jail, Gohar Ali Khan disclosed that they were denied access to the incarcerated PTI founder, with authorities failing to provide prior notice of the two-week ban on Khan’s meetings.
Allegedly citing “terrorism” as the justification for the action, Gohar demanded an immediate audience with Imran Khan to ascertain details about his well-being, as per The News.
Imran Khan, who is currently serving a cumulative sentence of 31 years in multiple cases, had been engaging in meetings with his legal counsel, family members, and party associates since his transfer to the Rawalpindi facility in September 2023. These meetings were scheduled for Mondays and Thursdays, the designated days for such engagements.
The development underscores a contentious episode in Khan’s incarceration, with concerns raised regarding his safety amidst heightened security measures within the prison premises.”