Pak releases photos and refutes Imran Khan’s ‘death cell’ claim

Islamabad:

A new political row has broken out in Pakistan after the government released photos of the cell provided to the country’s former prime minister Imran Khan in Adiala prison to refute the leader’s claim that he was placed in a ‘death cell’ ‘ and in solitary confinement while serving the ongoing sentence.

The federal government presented photos of the facilities provided to Imran Khan in Rawalpindi jail during a hearing on the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Amendment Bill. They showed that Mr Khan’s room has a refrigerator, an LED television, a bed and a study table. Several other photographs of the kitchen dedicated to Mr Khan, a walking corridor and two exercise machines were also sent.

During previous court proceedings, which he attended via videoconference, the former PM stated that he had been placed in solitary confinement. In a written interview with journalist Mehdi Hasan, Khan also stated that he was placed in a death cell.

“The man who fought for the welfare of the entire nation is being kept in miserable conditions. Imran Khan has lived his entire life with royal status and has been blessed with everything. Yet he is forced to spend his time in such despicable conditions in prison, he is suffering for us, the people of Pakistan,” said Shandana Gulzar, senior leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

“Photos of Imran Khan’s room show that the distance between one wall and the other is only about 10 steps. This is a man who gave his all to Pakistan – from Shaukat Khanum Hospital, universities and working to make Pakistan country a welfare state for the poor. Today, he is kept in a 4×6 size cell. It pains me to think that such a great leader would be treated like this,” said a PTI supporter, Rukhsana.

On the other hand, leaders of the ruling government criticized Imran Khan for making a “false allegation” about his solitary confinement and for going to the extent of calling it a “death cell”.

“Imran Khan is a liar. He keeps trying to portray himself as a victim and trying to get the attention of his supporters inside and outside Pakistan. Imran Khan has been given the best facilities in prison. He is enjoying his time and has not even come close to being treated like a condemned prisoner,” said Talal Chaudhry, senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

A Punjab government spokesman, Azma Bokhari, said at least seven prison cells had been cleared to make room for a corridor and Mr Khan’s exercise machines at Adiala prison.

“You see the photos and tell me if this is what solitary confinement looks like. Imran Khan is enjoying all the facilities in prison. He has a dedicated kitchen, a cleaning lady, a servant, he eats desi food including chicken and beef all days He was even given a corridor to enter and a separate room to exercise in. Imran Khan is also in prison, but the facilities he has are equivalent to a four-star hotel or even more than that,” Bokhari said.

The PTI demanded that the Supreme Court order an inspection of the prison cell to verify the government’s allegations.

Meanwhile, political analysts and experts say that the government’s decision to present images of prison cells to the court and then release them to the media and public only helped Imran Khan increase his already high popularity.

“Releasing photos of prison cells was an attempt to tarnish Imran Khan’s credibility. However, it turned out to be counterproductive for the government,” said senior political analyst Kashif Abbasi.

(Except the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)