Punjab Information Minister Responds to KP CM’s Letter: “If a Prisoner Refuses, Jail Officials Cannot Force a Meeting”

LAHORE — Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari has said that prison authorities cannot compel any inmate to meet someone if the prisoner does not wish to, responding to a letter written by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohaib Afridi.

Addressing the matter, Bukhari stated that arranging meetings inside jails has nothing to do with the Punjab Chief Minister, adding that Maryam Nawaz never interferes in the work of government officials. She emphasized that, under jail rules, political meetings are strictly prohibited and the jail superintendent is the final authority on such matters.

She explained that meetings are arranged only between prisoners and their approved visitors, whose names are provided by the inmate. “If a prisoner does not want to meet someone, jail authorities cannot force it,” she reiterated.

Providing statistics, the minister said that the founder of PTI receives meetings twice a week, with a total of 420 meetings held with his legal team and 189 meetings with family members so far. “Meetings held by Bushra Bibi’s family are separate,” she added.

Criticizing the KP Chief Minister, Bukhari said that despite these regular visits, political gatherings continue to be held outside the jail every week. “Before lecturing us on the law, Sohaib Afridi should read the law himself,” she said, accusing him of standing with those convicted in the May 9 cases and threatening government officials.

She concluded that the prison system operates strictly according to rules, and political pressure cannot influence the process.