Pakistan: Imran Khan Asks Supreme Court to Inspect His Prison Cell

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Jun 07, 2024

Image copyright: Voice of America [via Wikimedia Commons]story last updated Jun 08

The Facts

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for the country's top court to order a probe into his cell at Adiala Jail after the federal government challenged his claims of solitary confinement.
Khan supporters have accused authorities of lying about how the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been treated in prison following the emergence of an image appearing to show his windowless jail room.

The Spin

Narrative A

Imran Khan is not asking for any favors or facilities in prison, only for authorities to respect his rights and transfer him to a better cell. Given that he has been politically persecuted, the fact that the conditions of his imprisonment are such is certainly outrageous, though not surprising.

The Express Tribune

Narrative B

Imran Khan has been living in his cell as if he were at his in-law's house, with exercise equipment at his disposal — as well as books, a kitchen, a special menu, an exclusive walkway, a study table, and a room cooler. However, he and his supporters apparently believe that he deserves to be living in a five-star hotel.