The Accountability Court of Islamabad Wednesday granted the request made by the jail administration regarding security concerns in Adiala Jail and adjourned the hearing of the 190-million-pound reference till May 17 without proceeding. According to the details, today the Adiala Jail authorities requested the court to adjourn the hearing due to security concerns. In the letter written by the Superintendent of Adiala Jail to the Accountability Court, it was stated that Adiala Jail is the most sensitive jail in the province. The letter stated that criminals involved in serious crimes including terrorism are imprisoned in Adiala Jail, high profile prisoners with political background are also in the Jail. The letter added that the Home Department of the Punjab Government has received a report of a plan to attack prisons by banned organizations. According to the report, there are security threats to Mianwali, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rawalpindi and Attock Jail. Mock drills have also been conducted with the help of law enforcement agencies for the security of Adiala Jail.

According to the letter, the security clearance of the residents of the residential areas adjacent to the jail is also being done, therefore, the hearing on the 190 million pounds reference should be postponed till next week in the context of security arrangements. It is pertinent to note that mock drills were conducted yesterday to ensure the security of Adiala Jail Rawalpindi. Police, Elite Force, Rescue 1122, Bomb Disposal Squad and law enforcement agencies participated in the mock exercise, said Rawalpindi Police spokesperson. According to the spokesman, mock exercises were conducted to simulate joint operational actions in an operation or emergency situation. Earlier, there were reports that a ban was imposed on meeting prisoners in Adiala Jail for three days. The ban on meetings with prisoners will be applied till 12 midnight on May 15 and this decision was taken in view of security concerns around the prison.

It is pertinent to note that a few days ago, the US State Department emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of all prisoners in Pakistan, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan. During a news briefing in Washington on May 7, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, “Obviously, we want to see the protection and security of every prisoner in the world, including Pakistan. Every detained person, every prisoner is entitled to basic human rights and protection under the law”. Earlier, the Spokesperson of Foreign Office, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, while responding to the US State Department's concern regarding the safety of all prisoners in Pakistan, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, said that the issue of prisoners is an internal problem of Pakistan. No one’s directions are needed. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, during the weekly briefing, explained the US response to the security of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, imprisoned in Adiala Jail. She stated that Pakistan has an independent and transparent judiciary system. It is free to make decisions according to law and delivery of justice is the main pillar of Pakistan's judiciary.

Notably on March 7, Rawalpindi Police and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested three suspected terrorists and saved Adiala Jail from a major disaster. City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi Khalid Hamdani had said that in a joint operation, Adiala Jail has been saved from major destruction. three terrorists were arrested along with heavy weapons and ammunition, who belong to Afghanistan. CPO Rawalpindi further said that a map of Adiala jail, hand grenades and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were recovered from the terrorists. Later on March 12, Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi was banned for two weeks from meeting all prisoners including the founder of PTI Imran Khan due to fear of being targeted by terrorists. It was also reported that in the light of intelligence reports, the Punjab Home Department has decided to ban meetings with all the prisoners, including the PTI founder, in Adiala Jail. The media reports also suggested that a search operation will also be conducted in the jail by the Home Department of Punjab. According to the post, the meeting ban will apply to all the prisoners, including PTI founder Imran Khan.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan