Ministers defend limits on PTI founder's jail meetings
Pakistan
Law and information ministers say PTI founder’s jail meetings follow strict rules, defend restrictions, cite security risks, political speech bans and alleged violations by his family.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has said that former prime minister Imran Khan is a convicted prisoner and no inmate can be allowed unsupervised meetings. Under Rule 557, a superintendent may cancel any meeting if it violates regulations or poses risks related to public order or security.
Addressing a press conference alongside Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, the law minister said that repeated claims about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder’s jail meetings were misleading. He noted that the Islamabad prison is not yet operational, while Adiala Jail falls under Punjab’s jurisdiction, where jail meetings are regulated strictly under the prison manual.
He stated that under Rule 265, a prisoner is allowed one meeting per week with a maximum of six visitors. The inmate may write one letter weekly, and political discussions during meetings are prohibited. The rules also bar visitors from publicly disclosing the conversation.
Recalling past examples, he said that Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz—despite being in the same jail—were not allowed to meet. Their lawyers were permitted one meeting per week under strict undertakings, and none of them gave post-meeting interviews.
Referring to the PTI founder’s own past remarks as prime minister, Tarar said he once publicly stated during a U.S. visit that he would remove fans from jail cells.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar added that the PTI founder is a convicted prisoner in the £190 million mega corruption case. He criticised PTI figures for telling Indian and Afghan media that the PTI founder’s life was in danger, calling it an attempt to malign Pakistan internationally.
He said the PTI founder enjoys additional facilities in jail unmatched by any prisoner in the country’s history, noting that “no other inmate has ever been given a bicycle in custody.”
The minister also alleged that all three sisters of the PTI founder were present outside the Lahore Corps Commander House on May 9, and their presence “has been proven.” He said that political conversations with any inmate are strictly forbidden under jail rules.
He added that reports indicated the PTI founder’s sisters engaged in political discussions after their meetings, which is why Uzma Khan’s meeting has been suspended. Anyone violating jail rules will face a meeting ban, and any attempt to disturb public order outside the jail will be dealt with strictly.
