Two-week ban on Adiala Jail visits sparks PTI Outcry

Hassan Naqvi

LAHORE: The Punjab government has enforced a two-week prohibition on public visits, meetings, and interviews at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, citing security concerns. This move has drawn sharp criticism from PTI leaders, who perceive it as a deliberate attempt to obstruct their access to party founder Imran Khan, currently detained at the facility.

According to a letter obtained by The Frontier Post (TFP), the Punjab Home Department emphasized the presence of security threats to Adiala Jail, with anti-state terrorist groups, supported by external adversaries, allegedly plotting targeted attacks. As a precautionary measure, the department has instructed the prison authorities to halt all public activities within the jail premises for the specified period.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan condemned the blanket ban, demanding prior notification to Imran’s family members and lawyers. Expressing concerns over Imran’s safety, he highlighted past assassination attempts, interpreting the sudden restrictions as indicative of imminent danger.

National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan lambasted the ban, alleging a disregard for court orders and attributing responsibility to Punjab’s leadership, including the home secretary and the caretaker chief minister. He criticized the ban as unconstitutional and obstructive, especially amidst preparations for the Senate elections.

Ayub underscored the PTI’s determination to challenge the ban legally and vowed to pursue accountability for Adiala Jail’s expenses and alleged corruption.

PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan labeled the ban a criminal act driven by fear, pledging legal action to overturn it and asserting Imran Khan’s enduring influence despite such measures.

PTI MNA Sher Afzal Marwat condemned the timing of the ban during the sacred month of Ramadan and denounced the expulsion of media personnel from Adiala Jail premises, portraying it as an affront to democratic values.

Marwat vowed to pursue avenues of protest across political platforms, including parliamentary channels.

The imposition of the ban has intensified tensions between the PTI and the Punjab government, with both sides locked in a battle over access to the incarcerated PTI leadership at Adiala Jail.

A senior official at Punjab’s prisons department told TFP that in response to credible threat alerts shared by various intelligence and security agencies, the Internal Security Wing of the Home Department Punjab has issued a directive regarding the security of Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

He maintained that it has been revealed that certain anti-state terrorist groups, backed by adversaries of Pakistan, have orchestrated plans to carry out targeted attacks on the facility.

“The primary objective behind these planned attacks is to sow chaos and lawlessness throughout the country. In light of this imminent threat, urgent measures are deemed necessary to safeguard the security and integrity of the prison,” he said.

The senior official added that as a precautionary measure, authorities have ordered the immediate cessation of all public visits, meetings, and interviews within Adiala Jail for a duration of two weeks.

“This decision aims to mitigate the risk of potential security breaches and ensure the safety of both inmates and visitors,” he stated.

The Inspector General of Prisons, Punjab, Lahore, has been formally requested to enforce this temporary suspension of activities within the jail premises.

The letter emphasized that prompt action is imperative to address the looming security concerns effectively.

Authorities stress the utmost importance of adhering to these directives and urge strict compliance from all concerned parties.

“Further updates on the situation are expected to be communicated as developments unfold, ” he concluded.