Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently serving a three-year prison sentence in Attock Jail following a graft case conviction, is reportedly enduring “distressing conditions” in confinement. According to his lawyer, Naeem Haider Panjotha, Khan is being subjected to what is known as “C-Class jail facilities,” sparking concerns about his well-being and rights.
The situation unfolded on August 5 when an Islamabad trial court found Imran Khan guilty of “corrupt practices” related to concealing details of state gifts. The court sentenced him to three years in prison, leading to his immediate arrest by Punjab police at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore.
While the Punjab prisons department initially provided him with B-Class facilities, Khan’s legal team and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), alleged that they were denied access to meet the PTI chairman. The lawyers sought to provide Khan with essential items like clothes and food, as well as obtain his signatures. However, the jail administration postponed the meeting and requested the lawyers to return on Monday to establish power of attorney.
Subsequently, on Monday, Naeem Haider Panjotha was finally permitted to meet with Imran Khan for an hour and 45 minutes. Following their discussion, Panjotha shared details of the meeting in a media talk. Khan reportedly described his conditions in jail as distressing, mentioning that he was being held in a small, dark room with a manual labor setup. He also noted the presence of flies and insects, as well as a lack of proper sanitation facilities.
Khan revealed that he was being provided with basic meals, but he expressed his readiness to endure even worse conditions if he were moved to a D-Class jail. He emphasized his refusal to accept “slavery” and commended the steadfastness of PTI party workers and leadership. Khan conveyed his determination to continue the fight against oppression and urged the public to engage in peaceful protests.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Khan’s morale remains high, according to Panjotha. Khan’s lawyer highlighted the former prime minister’s determination to stand firm and not bow to adversity. However, he also mentioned the difficulties Khan faced in offering prayers due to the limitations of his small cell.
Panjotha further alleged that Khan had been denied access to television or newspapers during his confinement.
In response to Khan’s conditions, his legal team filed a petition with the Islamabad High Court (IHC), seeking to declare his detention in Attock Jail as “illegal.” The petition also called for Khan to be moved to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi and to be granted “better class/A-Class” jail facilities under Pakistani Prison Rules. The petition argued that Khan’s social and political status warranted better conditions and access to legal representation, family members, medical professionals, and political aides.
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The petition questioned the legal basis for Khan’s detention in Attock Jail instead of Adiala Jail, as specified by the arrest warrant. It criticized the conditions of Khan’s confinement, describing his cell as a “dirty cell which has traditionally been reserved for terrorists.”
Imran Khan’s case sheds light on the treatment of high-profile prisoners and the importance of upholding their rights, even in the face of serious allegations. As the legal proceedings unfold, questions remain about the conditions under which Khan is being held and whether his rights are being respected in accordance with the law. The case also underscores the significance of peaceful protests and the determination of Khan and his supporters to advocate for justice and fairness.
