Amid claims of “harsher-than-before conditions” for incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan, administration of Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail has revealed details of amenities being provided to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder under the prescribed legal framework for B-Class prisoners among other facilities.

 

According to reports, jailed Khan is being provided with tailored meals, healthcare, reading materials (books and newspapers) besides being allowed regular exercise and walks.

 

While a prisoner has been officially designated as Khan’s cook and is responsible for preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner as per the jailed former premier’s personal preference, the PTI founder has been kept in a two-cell complex that includes a private courtyard for walking and cycling.

 

He also has access to LED lights, newspapers and books of his own choosing – none of which are among amenities extended to other B-Class inmates, said the media report.

 

Jail authorities were quoted as saying that Khan enjoys two hours of daily exercise in an open-air courtyard and the staff was fully committed to ensuring his security, health and legal rights as per the rules governing B-Class inmates. 

 

Report also quoted jail officials as dismissing rumours regarding Khan’s mistreatment as “unwarranted sensationalism”. They said that Khan was, in fact, receiving better facilities than any other prisoner at Adiala Jail.

 

It may be noted that the former prime minister was on August 5, 2023, arrested from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore, shortly after his conviction in the Toshakhana case.

 
Following an Islamabad High Court (IHC) order, Khan was shifted from Attock Jail to Adiala on September 27, 2023.

 

As legal battles continued on multiple fronts, an Islamabad accountability court in January this year convicted Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the £190 million case, sentencing them to 14 and seven years imprisonment, respectively. The trial was also held at a makeshift court in Adiala.

 

As per the 148-page verdict, the former premier was convicted of “corrupt practices” and “misuse of authority”, while the ex-first lady was convicted of “involvement in illegal activities”. Former first lady Bushra Bibi also remains locked up in Adiala.