KP Chief Minister Calls for Prison Reforms to Begin at Adiala Jail
ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi called for prison reforms to begin at Adiala Jail, urging authorities to ensure what he described as the rights of jailed Imran Khan.
Speaking at a prison reforms conference in Islamabad, Afridi said Adiala Jail should have proper waiting facilities for visitors and called for greater access for Imran Khan to his family and personal medical team.
The chief minister claimed that Imran Khan’s health had deteriorated during his imprisonment and said he should be allowed treatment by his personal physicians. He also urged authorities to facilitate video calls between the former prime minister and his sons.
Afridi further said that, if meetings between Imran Khan and his sisters could not be arranged, force should not be used against family members attempting to visit him. He added that prison reforms should begin with improving conditions at Adiala Jail.
He also said that prison facilities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are being improved in line with what he described as Imran Khan’s vision, and criticized what he called restrictions on public gatherings and the registration of criminal cases against protesters.
Addressing the same conference, Yahya Afridi said improving prison conditions is a constitutional responsibility of provincial governments and emphasized that protecting prisoners’ rights is a key component of the justice system.
The Chief Justice said progress had been made in reducing pending cases and stressed the importance of accountability within the justice system. He also highlighted the need to ensure adequate healthcare and clean water in prisons and noted that provincial committees had been established to work on improving prison conditions.
The conference was also addressed by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
