Security Measures Intensified at Adiala Jail Amidst Safety Concerns – Imran Khan’s Meetings Restricted

In a move aimed at enhancing security within Adiala Jail, the Punjab Home Department has implemented strict measures, including a two-week ban on all meetings involving Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Citing a security alert, authorities have mandated the installation of barbed wires around the premises and initiated a comprehensive security audit with the involvement of special branch officials, the Intelligence Bureau, and jail staff.

The decision, communicated through a notification, encompasses a prohibition on visits, meetings, and interviews within Adiala Jail. Stringent protocols, such as mandatory body searches for individuals entering the jail and increased security clearance for government contractors, have been put in place to ensure a heightened level of safety.

Expressing concerns over the ban, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan held a press conference outside the jail, revealing that they were not informed about the two-week restriction on Imran Khan’s meetings. The authorities cited “terrorism” as the reason behind the move, raising apprehensions about the former prime minister’s safety.

Amidst Imran Khan’s ongoing incarceration, which began in September 2023, with a cumulative sentence of 31 years across various cases, including the cypher and Toshakhana reference cases, PTI and its associates have consistently called for Khan’s release, labeling the charges as “fabricated.” The recent security measures follow the Counter Terrorism Department’s claim of arresting three terrorists near Adiala Jail, recovering a map of the facility, a hand grenade, and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from their possession.

The heightened security comes in the wake of previous security incidents, including the discovery of an explosive device near Adiala Road in November. With concerns rising over safety within the prison environment, the PTI continues to demand immediate meetings and consultations with Imran Khan, seeking transparency regarding his health and well-being.