Punjab Government Restricts Meetings in Adiala Jail Due to Security Concerns
The Punjab government has imposed restrictions prohibiting all meetings inside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan is currently imprisoned, according to sources reported by Geo News on Monday. The ban on meetings is set to remain in place until October 18.
Reasons for the Ban
The prohibition on meetings — which includes party leaders, lawyers, and family members — has been attributed to security concerns. The move aims to enhance security within the facility ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, which is scheduled to take place in Islamabad from October 15 to 16.
This summit holds critical significance, with India’s Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar set to attend. This marks the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly a decade.
Security Measures
In addition to banning meetings, the federal government has deployed the Pakistan Army for enhanced security during the SCO summit. Troop deployment has been approved under Article 245 of the Constitution from October 15 to 17 to ensure comprehensive security coverage.
This is not the first instance of such restrictions; a similar ban was imposed for two weeks in March of this year due to security concerns.
Previous Security Incidents
Imran Khan has been imprisoned in Adiala Jail for over a year, entangled in several legal cases. The facility has seen multiple security breaches in the past:
- Earlier this year, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested three terrorists in possession of a map of the jail facility, along with a hand grenade and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The suspects were reported to have ties to Afghanistan.
- In November 2023, authorities discovered a suspicious bag containing an explosive device near Adiala Road, just one kilometer away from the jail.
The ban on meetings is part of the ongoing efforts to secure the facility and its surroundings amidst growing security threats.