Pakistani government submits details of former PM Imran Khan's living conditions in jail
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan
The Pakistani government on Thursday (Jun 6) submitted details of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan's living conditions inside the prison, rebuffing his accusations of mistreatment by the authorities.
The submission by the government included photographs of the jail cell where Khan is being held along with a list of family and friends, lawyers and party members who have visited Khan since he was put behind bars in August 2023 on corruption charges.
The pictures reportedly showed a collection of books in the cell including Nelson Mandela's autobiography "Long Walk to Freedom", that were apparently indicated to underline how Khan was given permission to read whatever he wished to inside the jail.
The image released by the government also showed a bedroom with a study table, a chair, a single bed, a cooler, and a washbasin next to a washroom in the corner, with a flat TV screen hung on a wall. It shows shirts thrown on the back of the chair and trousers, pants and a towel hung on a wall.
One of the pictures showed a long walkway, describing it as an "exclusive gallery for walking, twice a day."
The government, in its submission, also asked the court to appoint a judicial officer to verify the facts.
Last week, the former Pak PM claimed that he was kept in solitary confinement without access to lawyers.
Khan made an appearance before the court virtually via video-conferencing later on Thursday (June 6)and urged Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa to order an inspection of his jail cell.
The court stated that it would appoint a commission that would pay a surprise visit to the jail cell.
Soon after the government submitted the details, his party PTI stood by their chief's claim that he was mistreated and was kept in solitary confinement.
"It is a contradiction to the claim that a former prime minister is entitled to an A-class cell with an air-conditioned room and a helper to attend to the errands," his party said in response to the submission.
(With inputs from agencies)