📷 Image Credits: NDTV
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s living conditions in jail have been detailed by the government in a submission to the Supreme Court. The 71-year-old cricket star turned politician has been jailed on corruption charges, with his party claiming the cases against him are politically motivated. According to the submission seen by Reuters, Khan’s cell contained a collection of books, including Nelson Mandela’s autobiography ‘Long Walk to Freedom.’ Khan had complained to the court about being kept in solitary confinement without access to his lawyers. The submission also included a list of family, friends, lawyers, and party members who have visited Khan since his imprisonment in August last year.
The government requested the appointment of a judicial officer to verify the living conditions described in the submission. Khan’s party maintained that he had been mistreated and disputed the portrayal of his cell. The pictures included in the submission depicted a cluttered bedroom with basic amenities, a study table, chair, single bed, cooler, washbasin, and a flat TV screen. Additionally, the images showed a walkway, a kitchen area, a collection of books on various subjects, a room with exercise equipment, and a mention of an exclusive gallery for walks. The party highlighted the discrepancy between the conditions shown in the pictures and the entitlements of a former prime minister.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa responded to Khan’s complaints by promising to appoint a commission to inspect the prison cell. The ongoing legal battle and public scrutiny surrounding Khan’s imprisonment underscore the political tensions in Pakistan and raise questions about the treatment of high-profile figures in the country’s justice system. The case continues to attract attention both locally and internationally as Khan’s supporters and critics debate the fairness of his incarceration and the broader implications for political dissent in the region.