Imran Khan Restricted from Meeting Family, Lawyers, and Party Leaders Until October 18
RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has imposed a temporary ban on all meetings within Adiala Jail, where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan is currently incarcerated, citing security concerns.
This restriction, effective until October 18, prevents Khan from meeting with family members, party leaders, and legal representatives.
According to sources, the prohibition is part of broader security measures ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, scheduled to take place in nearby Islamabad from October 15 to 16. The ban applies not only to Imran Khan but also to other inmates in the jail.
The Punjab Home Department has sent an official letter to the Rawalpindi district administration and jail authorities, instructing them to implement additional security measures. This action follows an alert issued by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on October 6, warning of potential threats.
Authorities are taking strict preventive measures to ensure safety during the summit, which will see high-profile international attendance, including India’s Minister of External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
In line with these precautions, the federal government has called in the Pakistan Army to assist with security. Troops will be deployed under Article 245 of the Constitution from October 15 to 17 to bolster the safety of the event.
This is not the first time Adiala Jail has imposed such restrictions. Earlier this year, similar measures were taken in March due to security threats. Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated for over a year, faces multiple legal cases, and the jail has been the target of several security concerns.
In a previous incident, the CTD arrested three individuals allegedly planning an attack on the facility. The suspects, reportedly from Afghanistan, were found with a map of the jail, explosives, and other weapons. Another incident in November 2023 saw police discovering a suspicious, bomb-laden bag near Adiala Road, just one kilometer from the prison.
With security tightened and the SCO summit fast approaching, authorities remain vigilant, prioritizing safety for both the jail and the region.
