IHC disposes of plea after assurance on Imran’s prison facilities

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court in its order on Monday said that the Adiala jail officials have ensured that Imran Khan would be provided with all facilities in line with the jail rules and court orders. Earlier, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir of the Islamabad High Court disposed of the petition regarding the meeting of lawyers with the PTI founder and the provision of facilities to him as per jail rules. Imran’s sister Norren Niazi had filed the plea.

The IHC mentioned a report submitted by the DSP Adiala Jail that mentioned the removal of restrictions on Imran and other prisoners. The court was informed that the Home Department of Punjab had imposed the ban due to the threats of terrorist attacks. The Deputy Superintendent Jail said that the PTI founder is enjoying all the facilities in jail in line with the rules.

It said that the PTI founder has appointed a jail coordinator for his meetings in light of the orders of IHC. The court said the petitioner’s lawyers were satisfied with the statement of the jail administration. At this, the court said that the petition was subsequently disposed of.Meanwhile, the hearing of the £190 million reference case was held at Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, in an accountability court established within the jail premises. Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana presided over the session. Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were present. Defence counsel Faisal Chaudhry informed the court that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had directed that addressing the acquittal petitions first. The accountability court responded that no such order from the IHC had been received yet.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor requested the court to proceed with recording the statements under Section 342, given that the accused were present. In response, the defence lawyer said that the questionnaire contains 79 questions and sufficient time would be needed to prepare the statements, requesting a 14-day extension for submission. The court adjourned the hearing until November 13.

In another development, the Police presented more evidence in the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), Rawalpindi in the GHQ attack case. Police presented witnesses of the case and a map of the crime scene in court. As many as 87 witnesses have been included by police. which includes officers of PEMRA and 5 JIT officers. As many as 26 accused were included. It also identified 54 places on the crime scene map including police stations, the IT Lab, FIA and the Building Department. According to the map, PTI’s Raja Basharat and Khalid Jadoon incited people at location number 4. The accused damaged 7 important installations at the location and damaged a security check post at location number 13. Workers damaged petrol bombs at location number 25 and vehicles at location number 34. Military statues were broken at location number 42 and MH Pole at location number 54. The GHQ attack case was registered against the accused at RA Bazaar Police Station. They are accused of vandalism, arson, rioting, attack on important installations and damaging government property.

Talking to the media persons informally at Adiala Jail, Imran Khan has said “we have given a plan of action at the Swabi rally; and I will give a date for the march myself with full preparations in a few days”.

He said: “This time our people will not go back to their homes till the party demands are met.” He said, “I am ready to make every sacrifice for true freedom of Pakistan. Our protest will continue until restoration of the judiciary and release of our innocent workers and leaders.”