PTI chairman cannot be allowed to talk to his sons, jailer tells court

Islamabad: The Adiala Jail superintendent informed a special court on Tuesday that the incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and former prime minister would not be allowed to communicate with his sons while in detention.

The PTI Chairman has been behind bars since August 5, subsequent to his conviction in the Toshakhana case. He was later transferred to Adiala Jail in connection with a cipher case.

The jailer’s statement came during a hearing before a special court established under the Official Secrets Act. The purpose of this court session was to consider the PTI’s request to grant the chairman permission to communicate with his sons from Adiala Jail. The proceedings were presided over by Judge Abual Hasnat, who, after hearing the jailer’s response, called for the Adiala prison’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) regarding telephone conversations between prisoners and their family members. The case has been adjourned until October 18.

It is worth noting that the PTI chairman is presently incarcerated in Adiala Jail in connection with the cipher case. His transfer from Attock Prison was ordered by the Islamabad High Court Chief Justice.

The PTI chief, along with the vice chairman, stands accused of “intentionally withholding a copy of the diplomatic cipher.” The special court is scheduled to indict both Qureshi and the PTI chairman on October 17.