In a sharp rebuttal to allegations made by former prime minister Imran Khan about his treatment in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, the government on Sunday dismissed claims of harsh conditions, asserting that the PTI founder is receiving “royal treatment.”
British journalist Christina Lamb, in an article published in The Sunday Times, quoted Mr. Khan as stating he was in “solitary confinement with barely any space to move,” constantly monitored by intelligence agencies. The authenticity of the interview has been questioned, given the strict access controls limiting Mr. Khan’s contact to his legal team and close family members.
The Sunday Times reported that the interview was facilitated through Mr. Khan’s lawyers since he allegedly lacks access to basic writing materials.
Responding to these claims, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar refuted the allegations, stating that Ms. Lamb was misinformed. “This convicted person lives in a presidential suite. He has an exer-cycle, a walking gallery, and a kitchen at his disposal, and is given a lavish menu of what he wants to eat in the day,” said Mr. Tarar.
The minister added that Mr. Khan meets with his lawyers, friends, family, and political associates thrice weekly in what he described as a ‘presidential suite’ set up within the prison. “We have never believed in political victimization and nor have we ever done it,” he stated, suggesting the article aimed to mislead the international community.
Mr. Tarar also highlighted the treatment of PML-N leaders during Mr. Khan’s tenure, recalling the incarcerations of figures like Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, and Rana Sanaullah in what he termed “7 feet by 8 feet death cells.” He accused Mr. Khan of previously denying prisoners essential medical care, home-cooked food, and visitation rights.
“He used to openly state that I will not let any medicine get to them in the prison; I will not let them have home food and I will not let them meet people. He used to say that, and now he is enjoying a lavish lifestyle in jail,” Mr. Tarar asserted.
Mr. Tarar emphasized that the current government had not issued any orders to treat Mr. Khan differently from other prisoners. In his remarks to The Sunday Times, Mr. Khan claimed he spends his prison time planning for the future, maintaining that he remains a beacon of hope for the nation.
“Despite being caged, the entire country looks to me for hope and resilience. Most importantly, my prayers keep me steadfast, my belief in God assures me that justice will prevail over tyranny,” Mr. Khan was quoted as saying.
