 "‘Imran Khan is fully healthy’: Inside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where former Pakistan PM languishes")
Is Imran Khan dead or alive? That’s the question everyone has been asking in Pakistan after rumours began to circulate that the former Pakistan prime minister had died within the prison premises, where’s he been kept since August 2023.
In fact, thousands of workers from his political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, even protested violently and reportedly tried storming the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi following rumours that Khan had been killed by authorities.
Now, as the speculation continues unabated, the authorities from the Adiala Jail issued a statement, dismissing the reports of the cricketer-turned-politician’s death, calling them “baseless”.
“There is no truth to reports about his transfer from Adiala jail. He is fully healthy and receiving complete medical attention,” said prison authorities.
This incident has shone a spotlight on the prison where Imran Khan is languishing and it’s menacing history.
Inside Adiala Jail — notorious maximum security prison
Imran Khan has been behind bars at the Adiala Jail located in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi. This prison has a long and menacing history and is known the world over for holding hardened criminals, crime lords, extremists, high profile terrorists, public figures, convicted foreigners, death row inmates and even some of the country’s most famous politicians.
The prison has a storied history; earlier, when Rawalpindi was a tiny town, the jail was located at Committee Chowk, Teli Mohalla Road, near Triangle Road. After a brief period, it moved to the current Education Secretariat. In 1882, the jail was established at its present location near Jinnah Park and the Judicial Complex, covering 84.4 acres, where it remained for 104 years.
Notably, in April 1979, Pakistan’s former PM Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was executed within the prison premises, following which General Zia-ul Haq rebuilt the prison. Today, it has a sports and recreation facility, rehabilitation center, and formal and religious education programmes.
As per the Punjab Prisons Department, the Adiala Jail has a capacity of 1,900 prisoners. However, it is known to be overcrowded — having more than three times the number with roughly 6,000 inmates, including hundreds of women.
In a report, The Dawn writes that the Adiala Jail is to Pakistan what Tihar Jail in Delhi is to India. Both are infamous, and despite hosting high-profile prisoners, security breaches have been witnessed in both, reports The Dawn.
And before Imran Khan, Adiala Jail has been the home to many famous and infamous people. For instance, Asif Ali Zardari, Yousaf Raza Gilani, Nawaz Sharif, alleged Mumbai attacks mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi and Mumtaz Qadri, who was executed for killing former Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, are among the high-profile inmates of this highly fortified prison, made up of eight blocks divided in to barracks.
The conditions in the prison are dismal. As a result of the overcrowding, many inmates are cramped into dimly lit and poorly ventilated cells. There they face hunger, disease and sometimes even death.
Many inmates have also complained of the sub-standard food they receive. One such inmate was quoted as telling The Dawn that while the jail manual states that prisoners should be served meat, rice and dessert every once in a while, inmates are in fact provided food of inferior quality due to faulty contracts.
“The meat reeks of diesel rather than cooking oil. Drinking water is supplied through bore wells which makes the inmates susceptible to numerous diseases.”
Moreover, mobile phones are strictly prohibited, as powerful jammers are in operation, cutting out any signal.
Imran Khan’s stay at Adiala Jail
Following his ouster as PM, PTI chief Imran Khan has been languishing in Adiala Prison, serving sentences in corruption, state secrets, and marriage-related cases, all of which he contests as politically motivated.
Since Khan’s incarceration, multiple claims of mistreatment have been made against the prison authorities. Earlier, in July, his sons — Qasim and Suleman Khan — who are based in London, posted on social media, urging for Khan’s release. In one instance, Qasim described his father’s jail time as a time of forced separation. He called out the government’s refusal to allow family visits and even access to Khan’s personal physician.
He was quoted as telling The Independent, “The conditions my father is kept in are extremely harsh. He is confined to what is effectively a death cell, with poor hygiene and no proper facilities. For almost a year now, he has not been allowed to see his personal doctor.
Later, in October, his party members also alleged that the former Pakistan PM was placed in “solitary confinement” within the prison. “Unlike the rest of the prisoners, the cell door of Imran Khan remains shut at all times and he is denied any human contact,” the PTI said, adding that his cell’s electricity is also cut and newspapers withheld.
The PTI said that Khan’s meetings with visitors are suspended for days at a stretch, and his television has been disconnected for the past seven months, a facility available to prisoners. Besides, he is not allowed to speak to his children by phone, it added. “All of this is not only unlawful but also in violation of prison regulations,” the party added.
Imran Khan death rumours and clarification from authorities
Amid this situation, on Tuesday, reports emerged that Imran Khan’s three sisters were allegedly “brutally” assaulted outside the prison when they sought a meeting with Khan. Imran Khan’s sisters – Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan and Dr Uzma Khan – claimed that they have not been allowed to meet the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman in over three weeks.
Moreover, Afghan media reported that Khan had “succumbed to alleged mistreatment” in custody, and his body was purportedly moved out of the prison facility.
This resulted in a near riot outside the prison with PTI workers demanding to meet their leader. The demonstrations stopped stopped at the request of Islamist political organisation Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen’s (MWM) leader Allama Raja Nasir.
In order to placate concerns, the Adiala Jail authorities then issued a statement, insisting that Khan was inside the prison and was in good health. “He is fully healthy and receiving complete medical attention,” said prison authorities to Geo TV.
Furthermore, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the PTI founder was receiving comfort in prison compared to what he had faced while behind bars. “Check the menu of the food that comes for him — it is not available even in a five-star hotel,” he remarked.
Asif also claimed that Imran Khan had access to a television and could watch any channel he chose. “There are exercise machines for him as well.” He also alleged that Khan had “a double bed and velvet bedding”, claiming that the jail superintendent personally tended to him.
But, none of this has helped calm the situation and stop the rumours and the speculation that continues to spread on social media like wildfire.
With inputs from agencies
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