Adiala Jail authorities deny rumours of Imran Khan’s death, insist former PM is in ‘good health’

Rawalpindi (Pakistan): Pakistan prison authorities have issued a statement insisting that Imran Khan is alive, well and remains inside the facility, a day after unrest broke out outside Adiala jail following rumours that the former PM had died in custody.

According to Geo News, the jail administration dismissed the speculation as “baseless”, stating that Imran was receiving “complete medical attention”. “There is no truth to reports about his transfer from Adiala jail. He is fully healthy,” the statement said.

Imran, the former cricket captain and head of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), has been incarcerated for more than two years, entangled in multiple corruption and terrorism-related cases. His family, however, alleges he is being kept in solitary confinement, under “oppressive” and “illegal” conditions, as per an ARY News report.

His sisters, Noreen Khan (Niazi), Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, who have been leading protests demanding proof of his wellbeing, claim they have repeatedly been denied access to him despite court orders. The Islamabad High Court has granted Imran’s family the right to visit him twice a week.

Sit-in outside jail called off after negotiations

Earlier, Aleema Khan had been leading a determined sit-in at the Gorakhpur checkpost outside Adiala Jail, declaring she would not leave until she was allowed to meet her incarcerated brother. She stated repeatedly that she and her family were prepared to remain at the checkpost “for as long as necessary”, according to reports.

She alleged that Imran Khan is being kept in solitary confinement, “We will stay here until we are granted a meeting. What is happening to Imran Khan is unjust,” she said.

The sit-in has been called off after successful negotiations with police, as per an official statement given to local media.

Authorities said police held initial discussions with Aleema Khan and PTI leaders at the protest site and assured them that meetings with the former prime minister would be arranged. The family has now been guaranteed access to Imran Khan later today and again on Tuesday, prompting the protesters to disperse peacefully.

Before negotiations succeeded, the protest had caused major disruption on Adiala Jail Road. Both sides of the carriageway were blocked for hours, leading to severe traffic congestion that left commuters stranded, with ambulances and school vans also caught in the jam.

(With ANI inputs)