Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Thursday that the government has barred Imran Khan’s sister, Uzma Khan, from meeting him at Adiala Jail after authorities accused PTI leaders of creating repeated law and order disturbances outside the prison.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad alongside Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, the minister said strict directives had been issued to maintain order outside the jail and warned that anyone attempting to disrupt peace “will be dealt with iron hands.”
Tarar rejected PTI’s claims regarding Imran Khan’s health, saying Uzma herself had confirmed that the former prime minister was “safe and sound.” He criticised PTI leaders for spreading “false and sensational claims,” accusing one female PTI leader of sharing unverified allegations with Indian and Afghan media.
“No prisoner has ever been provided a jogging machine,” he said, responding to recent PTI statements. Tarar added that Imran’s three sisters had repeatedly caused disorder outside Adiala Jail and that those violating jail rules would have their visitation privileges suspended.
“You meet inside and run propaganda outside — this cannot continue,” he said. “We, too, used to visit prisoners, but never created a law and order situation.”
Tarar said the state would no longer tolerate “daily spectacles” outside the prison. He also accused Imran Khan of using meetings to pass messages aimed at undermining the state. “You want to weaken the country’s defence? Damage its sovereignty?” he asked.
His comments came hours after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was denied a meeting with Imran Khan for the ninth time since taking office. Authorities had allowed Uzma Khan a meeting earlier on December 2 after PTI expressed concerns about Imran’s health.
Meetings restricted under prison rules, law minister says
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar clarified that the restrictions are being enforced strictly under the Pakistan Prison Rules, stressing that Adiala Jail falls under the Punjab government’s jurisdiction.
He noted that Imran Khan is a convicted prisoner and that his visitation rights must follow the jail manual. Under Rule 265, superior-class prisoners may meet visitors only once a week, with a maximum of six people permitted. Political discussions are barred, and any publicity of conversations is prohibited.
Citing Rule 548, the minister said all meetings must take place under the supervision of the jail superintendent, who also has the authority under Rule 557 to end a meeting if the conversation threatens public order.
Rule 560 further empowers the superintendent to stop meetings if they could spark unrest once made public, while Rule 561 addresses the misuse of privileges.
“The rules clearly place authority with the jail superintendent,” Azam Tarar said, adding that all procedures being followed are lawful and routine.
The government maintains that the restrictions aim to prevent political agitation and preserve security around the high-profile inmate.
