The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Superintendent of Adiala Jail to provide an affidavit confirming that no recording devices are present in the visitation areas of the prison. The directive came during a hearing addressing the petition against the restrictions imposed on PTI lawyers Faisal Chaudhry and Naeem Haider Punjotha. The court session, led by Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan, saw the presence of the Adiala Jail Superintendent and the Prosecutor General of Islamabad. Additional Prosecutor General of NAB, Jehanzeb Bharwana, Deputy Prosecutor General of NAB, Naeem Singheera, and the investigative officer for the 190 million pounds NAB case, Mian Umar Nadeem, were also present. During the proceedings, the court questioned the jail’s representative, who assured that all lawyers are permitted entry into the jail.

However, complaints were raised about long waiting times and lack of basic amenities like drinking water. The jail superintendent responded that all necessary facilities are provided to the lawyers. The court decided that lawyers’ vehicles will be allowed entry after a 10-minute security check. A three-member commission will visit Adiala Jail to provide an impartial report. The jail superintendent is required to affirm that no recording devices are installed in the meeting areas. The court also ruled that each lawyer's three associates will be allowed into the jail, despite the prosecutor's request to limit this to one associate per lawyer. The court emphasized that if a defendant prefers a trial in jail, they have the right to have multiple lawyers, highlighting the need to be aware of the implications of a jail trial.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan