The Punjab government has clarified that the recent restrictions imposed at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail were not intended to obstruct meetings between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and the party’s founder, Imran Khan. This statement followed Imran Khan, a former prime minister currently serving more than three decades in prison, being prohibited from holding meetings inside Adiala Jail for two weeks due to security concerns.
Punjab’s Information Minister, Azma Bukhari, asserted that the measures were not punitive towards Khan but were implemented in response to a credible security threat under investigation. Recent arrests of terrorists in possession of a map of Adiala Jail, where Khan is incarcerated, prompted the security measures.
Last week, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) apprehended three alleged terrorists with ties to Afghanistan, carrying a map of the jail, a hand grenade, and Improvised Explosive Devices.
Bukhari refuted PTI’s claims of a false flag operation, emphasizing that security measures were taken to protect all prisoners. She highlighted the broader threat to Adiala Jail and stated that the goal was to enhance overall security.
Expressing concern over the abrupt ban on Khan’s meetings, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan demanded immediate consultations with the incarcerated leader, citing fears for Khan’s safety. He criticized authorities for not providing information about the two-week ban and questioned the reasons behind the move.
In a related development, the Punjab Home Department requested the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to postpone KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s meeting with Imran Khan, citing temporary restrictions on jail visits due to security concerns. The department also highlighted potential threats to other jails, directing security audits, bomb disposal operations, and sweeping measures.
As tensions escalate, the situation underscores the delicate balance between ensuring security measures and addressing the concerns of political leaders in custody.
