ISLAMABAD:
The federal government on Thursday warned that anyone engaging in political discourse after meeting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan at Adiala Prison would lose their visitation rights, saying long-standing prison rules leave no room for such conduct.
At a joint press conference with Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said reports had confirmed that Imran Khan’s sisters had political conversations after their meetings, leading authorities to suspend Uzma Khan’s visiting privileges.
He warned that anyone violating prison regulations or creating disorder outside Adiala would face strict action. Justice Minister Tarar stressed that prison regulations prohibit making public any conversations taking place during such visits.
The law minister said that the Adiala jail is functioning under the Punjab government and the new facility in Islamabad is not yet operational. He pointed out that under the prison rules, the imprisoned PTI founder is not allowed to participate in political discussions during meetings.
He explained that the prison manual allows a sentenced prisoner one supervised meeting per week with a maximum of six visitors, and allows only one letter per week, none of which can contain political material or information intended to be made public.
“Imran Khan is a convicted prisoner and cannot receive unsupervised meetings,” he said, adding that under Rule 557, the superintendent can terminate or restrict visits if they appear inconsistent with the rules or threaten public order.
Azam Nazeer Tarar said these regulations have existed for decades. He recalled that a judge had suspended some 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 tenure as Prime Minister, he opposed such permissions for convicted prisoners and even took the matter to the Supreme Court. “Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz, despite being in the same prison, were not allowed to meet,” he said.
Responding to a question, he slammed the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister for saying he needed to consult Imran Khan on the formation of his cabinet, warning that any attempt – or even discussion – to circumvent prison security would invite a strong response from the state.
The information minister accused PTI leaders of spreading claims in Indian and Afghan media that Imran’s life was in danger, calling it propaganda aimed at harming Pakistan internationally. He said the PTI founder enjoys facilities never given to any other prisoner.
