Imran Khan shifted to Adiala jail from Attock under strict security

Imran Khan shifted to Adiala jail from Attock under strict security
Source: Screen Grabed

Islamabad (Web Desk): A day after Islamabad High court’s (IHC) order, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former premier Imran Khan, who is imprisoned for his alleged involvement in the cipher case under the Official Secrets Act, was shifted to Adiala Jial from Attock jail on Tuesday, with strict security by Islamabad Police.  

The PTI chief was shifted to Adiala jail via motorway, by a large 18-vehicle contingent of Islamabad police, including 15 vans of Islamabad police, two armoured vehicles and an ambulance, amid strict security.

This decision by authorities came a day after the IHC directed the police to transfer Imran Khan to Adiala Jail, in response to a petition Khan had filed earlier.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, in his written order on shifting Mr Khan to Adiala Jail, said the petitioner is ‘under-trial prisoner’ and should be granted better class facilities as per his entitlement as provided in Rule 250, read with Rule 261 of the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978.

Later, the court directed the authorities to transfer Imran Khan, who is currently under trial under the Official Secrets Act in cipher case, to Adiala as all the prisoners under trial for cases filed in Islamabad are kept in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi. 

The court stated that Mr Khan is an ex-prime minister and, hence is entitled to better class facilities in jail than he was been given in Attock jail, the court order also stated that the PTI chairman may request the superintendent jail for gym equipment.

Khan was imprisoned in Attock Jail on August 5 following his conviction in the Toshakhana case. Even after that sentence was suspended, however, he remained detained in the jail due to cipher case.

According to jail officials, the PTI chief would be accorded a superior class in accordance with the written order by IHC.

It is pertinent to mention that Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain of Secret Officials Act Special Court extended the judicial remand of the PTI chief and Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi till Oct 10.

Meanwhile, the IHC rejected a petition filed by the FIA seeking an in-camera hearing of the post-arrest bail petition of the PTI chairman in the cipher case, and ordered to conduct open court hearing.