Pakistan’s government has announced plans to transfer former prime minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail to a newly constructed facility in Islamabad, once it is completed.
The move was confirmed by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during a passing-out ceremony for Islamabad Police personnel on Friday.
Naqvi explained that, since Khan was convicted by a court in Islamabad, it was appropriate to house him within the federal capital. He added that the new Islamabad Jail, expected to open within two months, will include comprehensive medical facilities to accommodate inmates.
The interior minister also used the occasion to highlight developments within Islamabad’s police force. He noted that the capital previously lacked a dedicated counter-terrorism unit, prompting the launch of an intensive training program three months ago.
Although the course was originally scheduled for six months, Naqvi said it was completed in just three months through continuous day-and-night efforts.
Naqvi credited the instructors and training institutions in Islamabad for their role in preparing the new force. He expressed hope that personnel from other provinces would also travel to the capital for professional development, strengthening the overall capacity of the federal police.
Emphasizing the importance of the specialized unit in maintaining security, he voiced confidence that the young officers would work diligently to combat terrorism.
Imran Khan, a former international cricket star turned politician, served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 until he was removed through a parliamentary no-confidence vote in 2022.
He has been held at Adiala Jail since August 2023 in connection with multiple criminal cases, which Khan and his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), describe as politically motivated.
Khan’s arrest in May 2023 sparked nationwide protests, including demonstrations targeting military installations, followed by a government crackdown on PTI supporters. Despite the unrest, PTI emerged as the single largest party in Pakistan’s 2024 general election.
The party has alleged widespread electoral irregularities prevented it from forming a majority, allowing a coalition government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take office. The coalition has denied the allegations of rigging.
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