From Abid Usman
LAHORE: The advocate general for Punjab (AGP) informed the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday that extraordinary measures have been taken at Adiala jail to ensure incarcerated former premier Imran Khan’s security.
LHC Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan heard a plea seeking security protocols for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder. In compliance with the court’s previous order regarding informing it of the measures taken for Imran’s security, AGP Khalid Ishaq shared that the ex-premier has been allocated seven cells, and 14 security personnel, as opposed to one security official per 10 prisoners. Two officers are deployed around the clock.
He further stated that the cells have been sealed for anyone’s movement, and special CCTV cameras have also been installed for 24-hour surveillance. The premier is fed a special meal, prepared in a special kitchen, the AGP said.
The judge inquired if Imran’s meals were examined by doctors, to which the AGP replied in the affirmative. “Jail superintendent and doctors examine the meal before it is served,” he said.
He added that the PTI founder has also been provided with an exercise machine. The AGP however expressed bewilderment at the impression that the former premier was not being provided adequate security.
The advocate general pointed out that similar petitions were pending at other forums including the Islamabad High Court (IHC), indicating that the petitioners should decide which forum’s plea they wanted to proceed with.
The LHC CJ remarked that the petitioner for this is the Insaf Lawyers Forum Punjab, through its president Afzaal Azeem Pahat. However, he observed that the matter was Imran Khan’s but his signatures were not on any document, even the power of attorney.
“So let us assume for a second that if the decision of this court comes against this petition, how will it be in a position to respond to Imran if he claimed that he neither filed this plea nor authorized anyone to file it? How in such a situation can the court decide on this petition,” he added.
The CJ directed the petitioner’s counsel to come after the Eid holidays with instructions over whether this plea could proceed.
The judge also directed the counsel to have a power of attorney signed by Imran, stating that the petition cannot be entertained without the PTI founder’s consent.
The court fixed the plea for hearing after the Eid holidays.
