ISLAMABAD: Adiala Jail authorities have denied that former prime minister Imran Khan is being held in solitary confinement, according to a report submitted to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) after he completed three years in Adiala Jail.
The report was filed by the Superintendent of Adiala Jail ahead of a hearing on a petition regarding alleged solitary confinement. Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro is scheduled to hear the case on Thursday.
In the report, the jail superintendent rejected allegations that Imran Khan was being kept in solitary confinement or subjected to discriminatory or unequal treatment.
The report stated that the practice of solitary confinement in prisons has largely been abolished and is no longer in use. It added that no prisoner, including Imran Khan, is being held in solitary confinement at Adiala Jail.
According to the report, Imran Khan has been convicted and is serving his sentence in accordance with the law. It said he is being treated in line with the legal provisions applicable to other prisoners and that no discriminatory or unequal treatment is being extended to him. However, as a better-class prisoner, he has been provided with certain additional facilities permitted under prison rules.
The report further stated that, due to his status as a former prime minister and political party leader, special security arrangements have been made for him. Ordinary inmates are not allowed access to his residential area. It added that the facilities available to him also demonstrate that he is not being kept in solitary confinement, as he is able to move freely throughout a seven-cell compound during the day.
According to the report, Imran Khan remains inside his cell only during specified hours at night. Jail officers and staff remain in regular contact with him regarding his needs, while the Deputy Superintendent of Jail meets him as part of routine duties and also holds special meetings with him.
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The report said the jail doctor examines Imran Khan three times daily, inspects his food, and checks his blood pressure, heartbeat, oxygen saturation and other vital signs. Additional medical examinations are also carried out whenever required.
It further stated that one full-time convicted prisoner has been assigned to prepare Imran Khan’s preferred meals three times a day. He is provided access to natural light, fresh air and exercise from sunrise until sunset, while his privacy is ensured in accordance with the jail manual.
The report said Imran Khan is free to move around and engage in activities of his choice until evening lock-up. His place of detention is secure and remains under constant monitoring, with an adequate number of staff deployed. Jail authorities also regularly review the security arrangements around his place of detention.
Under prison rules, Imran Khan is allowed to meet his wife, Bushra Bibi, every Tuesday. He is also regularly provided with newspapers and books of his choice.
The report further referred to an inspection conducted on February 10 by Salman Safdar in his capacity as a friend of the court. According to the report, Safdar inspected Imran Khan’s accommodation and detention conditions and subsequently submitted his findings to the Supreme Court, concluding that his custody and living conditions were appropriate and satisfactory, with no indication whatsoever of solitary confinement.
Rejecting the allegations made by petitioner Aleema Khan, the Superintendent of Adiala Jail described the claims as speculative and baseless and requested the Islamabad High Court to declare the petition without merit and dismiss it.
