Imran Khan in death cell or caged in luxury with exer-cycle, private kitchen

A recent interview of Imran Khan with a British newspaper sparked a debate on whether the former Prime Minister was "caged like a terrorist" or receiving "royal treatment" in a jail. While Imran Khan claimed he was in a death cell, the government said he was being confined in a "presidential suite".

The 71-year-old has been imprisoned at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail since August 2023, after he was convicted in three of the several cases filed against him, including the Toshakhana case, the cipher case, and the Iddat case.

Khan's term in the Toshakhana case continues, while he was acquitted by the Islamabad High Court in the cipher case in June, and Iddat case.

However, while he is still confined in the Iddat case, the Pakistani political class has been embroiled in a heated debate over the prison conditions of the former prime minister.

LOCKED IN DEATH CELL LIKE TERRORIST, SAYS IMRAN KHAN

The debate started when Khan claimed that he was being treated like a "terrorist" in jail. In a recent interview with the British newspaper, The Sunday Times, Imran Khan painted a dire picture of his prison cell.

He alleged that he was being denied basic rights and was being treated harshly, likening his conditions to those of a terrorist. Khan's claims sparked widespread outrage and concern among his supporters, who saw this as a clear example of political persecution.

"I am confined in a 7 feet by 8 feet death cell, typically reserved for terrorists to ensure they have no contact with anyone," Khan told the British newspaper.

"It is solitary confinement with barely any space to move. I am under constant surveillance by the agencies, being recorded 24/7, and I am denied basic prison and human rights such as visitation," added Khan.

Khan's interview with The Sunday Times was seen as a significant development, as it marked one of the few times he had spoken publicly about his prison conditions since his arrest.

The interview was facilitated by his lawyers, who managed to bypass the strict security measures in place at Adiala Jail, where Khan is being held, reported the Karachi-based newspaper Dawn.

GOVERNMENT HITS BACK AT KHAN'S CLAIMS

The Pakistani government of the Muslim League (Nawaz) was quick to respond to Khan's claims, dismissing them as baseless and exaggerated.

The government held that Christina Lamb, the interviewer, was mistaken, and held that Imran Khan was rather enjoying "royal treatment" in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail.

In a statement, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar asserted that the former prime minister was being treated fairly and that his prison conditions were in line with those of other high-profile prisoners. The government emphasised that Khan was not being subjected to any undue hardship and that his claims were merely a ploy to garner sympathy and attention.

This convicted person lives in a 'presidential suite'. He has an exercise bike, a walking gallery, and a private kitchen at his disposal, along with a lavish menu of his choice, according to Tarar, reported newspaper Dawn.

The federal minister also said that Imran Khan holds three meetings every week with his lawyers, friends, family and political leaders in the 'presidential suite', where he is confined.

THE PHOTOS OF IMRAN KHAN'S PRISON CELL

To support its longstanding stand on Khan's living condition, the federal government in Islamabad submitted detailed reports and photographs of Khan's prison cell to the Supreme Court in June.

The six photos that the government submitted showed that Khan's cell was well-furnished and equipped with basic amenities, contradicting his allegations of harsh treatment. The government's submission sought to show that Khan was not being mistreated and that his prison conditions were reasonable.

The images showed what appeared to be Imran's prison cell, with the description highlighting amenities such as an LED television, room cooler, study desk, and chair, reported Dawn.

The second image displayed an "exclusive gallery" for the PTI supremo to walk in twice daily. In the third image, a cupboard stocked with cooking ingredients and utensils were seen. The fourth image revealed a collection of books available for the PTI founder's reading. They included David Gilmour's The British in India and Nelson Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom.

The fifth image showed exercise equipment and a "stretching belt" for Imran's physical fitness, while the sixth image featured a bookshelf filled with more than 30 books.

Earlier, Khan had claimed he was in solitary confinement, without even a library.

In May, photos of the jailed leader went viral on social media when he attended Supreme Court proceedings from the Adiala Jail through a video call, reported Pakistani newspaper The Express Tribune.

Despite the government's claims and counterclaims, the debate rages on, leaving Pakistanis to wonder if Imran Khan is truly "caged like a terrorist" or living a lifestyle befitting a reality TV star in a prison drama.