IHC forms panel to probe barring of PTI lawyers from entering Adiala jail

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC), while constituting a three-lawyer commission to probe barring of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyers from entering the Adiala jail, wrapped up a petition on Friday.

The court said in its order that the vehicle of PTI lawyers would be allowed to enter the jail from outer gate after 10-minute checking. The three-member commission would visit Adiala jail and submit an impartial report. The Adiala jail superintendent would give an affidavit that no device had been installed at the venue of meeting of PTI lawyers with their client. Three associates of the PTI lawyers, who were having power of attorney, would be allowed to enter Adiala jail.

Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan remarked the word security was misused most of all in this country. “All know what is happening. The jail administration has no role therein. Two options are left with this court to solve the problem: One is the trial be shifted from jail to some other place. The second is that a commission under young lawyers be made. It will visit jail and report to the court if it sees any ups and downs.”

He gave these remarks during the hearing of a petition, filed against preventing PTI lawyers Faisal Chaudhry and Naeem Haider Panjutha from entering Adiala jail.

Adiala jail superintendent and prosecutor general Islamabad appeared in the court. Jail Superintendent Ghafoor Anjum told the court “we allow all lawyers to enter the jail.”

The court remarked a complaint was filed from lawyers that they were made to stand for two hours at the entrance, where even drinking water facility was not available.

However, the jail superintendent stated that all facilities were provided to lawyers.

The court ordered that lawyers’ vehicle would be allowed to enter the jail from outer gate after 10-minute checking.

The IHC judge asked whether the PTI founder was a terrorist that his trial had to be conducted in such a security.

The advocate general (AG) Islamabad said “we give affidavit that there will be no such complaint in future.”