ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Islamabad, on Wednesday, granted the request from the superintendent of Adiala jail to postpone the hearing of the £190 million reference against PTI founder Imran Khan, citing ‘security concerns’.
The hearing will now resume on May 17. The jail official’s plea to the court referenced reports from the Punjab Home Department indicating potential threats of attacks on prisons in Punjab by outlawed groups.
The request underscored Adiala jail’s status as the most sensitive prison in the province, accommodating over 7,000 inmates, including individuals involved in serious crimes and prominent political figures. The security alert extended to Mianwali, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rawalpindi (Adiala), and Attock jails.
In response to these reports, security measures were heightened within and around the prison, with security forces conducting a simulation exercise at Adiala jail and sweeping the surrounding areas for any potential threats.
Earlier, on March 7, Rawalpindi police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) thwarted a significant terrorist plot targeting Adiala Jail, leading to the arrest of three Afghan nationals. The operation yielded sketches of the prison, hand grenades, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Subsequently, a mock exercise involving Pakistan Rangers, Rawalpindi police, anti-terrorism units from the prisons department, Rescue 1122, and the bomb disposal squad was conducted at Adiala jail. This occurred shortly after the Punjab government imposed a two-week ban on prison visits and media coverage.
Following a review of security protocols at several penitentiaries in Punjab, including Adiala Jail, the Punjab home ministry ordered enhanced security measures and readiness drills to address potential emergencies.
Adiala Jail, known for housing high-profile political figures such as PTI founder Imran Khan, party president Parvez Elahi, former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and former PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, remains a focal point of security concerns and vigilance.
