Imran, Qureshi offer Eid prayers in jail, exchange greetings

RAWALPINDI: Former prime minister Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi offered Eidul Fitr prayers at Adiala Jail mosque on Wednesday.

Sources told The News that after the prayers, Pakistan Tehree-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran hugged senior party leader Qureshi, and the two exchanged Eid greetings. They have been in jail for month after their conviction in cipher conspiracy case. Security was put on high alert at Adiala jail during the Eid prayers.

Imran’s wife Bushra Bibi is confined at their residence in Bani Gala, which had been declared a sub-jail after her conviction in Toshakhana case. She was brought to Adiala Jail under tight security for her meeting with her husband Imran Khan on the court orders. During her travel, the road leading to the jail was closed on one side for security reasons.

Meanwhile, outside the Adiala Jail, the PTI workers gathered to protest in support of Imran Khan. Protestors, led by PTI North Punjab President Seemabia Tahir, chanted slogans for release of their leader. However, the police thwarted their attempts to move towards the jail gate. The police arrested at least five PTI supporters for “making videos near the jail”. They were identified as Irshad Khan, Raja Javed, Tariq Khan, Dr Fazal Elahi and Danish.

PTI senior leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s daughter, Mehrbano Qureshi, after meeting her father in Adiala Jail on the Eid day, said the prosecution had no evidence and hoped that both Imran Khan and Qureshi would be acquitted in all cases soon. She said an appeal against the cipher sentences was scheduled for hearing on April 16, and hoped that the prosecution would not make any attempts to prolong case. Her mother Mehreen Qureshi and sister Gohar Bano Qureshi accompanied her during meeting with Shah Mehmood Qureshi in jail, which continued for an hour.