In a significant development, security agencies have dismantled a network that allegedly provided unauthorized assistance to the imprisoned PTI founding chairman, Imran Khan, at Adiala Jail. The breakthrough in the investigation was revealed on Thursday, with sources indicating that the network was linked to former Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Akram.
The investigation has intensified, with questioning underway for two additional jail officers—Assistant Nazir and former Deputy Superintendent Zafar—both of whom are said to be close associates of Akram. Authorities plan to extend the probe by interrogating six more jail employees based on information obtained from Akram.
Notably, evidence has surfaced that implicates the use of mobile phones for WhatsApp communication with numbers registered in three European countries. Akram is accused of facilitating these communications for the PTI leader, reportedly maintaining close ties with PTI leader Zulfi Bukhari and a former Punjab minister.
Akram was removed from his position on June 20, with Deputy Superintendent Judicial Tahir Siddique Shah taking over as the new security supervisor for Imran Khan. The Punjab Home Department (Prison Section) issued a notification for Akram’s removal, instructing him to report to the Prisons Department in Lahore.
Akram faces allegations of relaying secret messages from the incarcerated PTI founder to external contacts. Upon completion of the ongoing investigation, he is expected to face departmental action.
Meanwhile, the jail administration is scheduled to convene today to address the unauthorized privileges allegedly extended to Khan.
Imran Khan, the former prime minister, has been incarcerated for over a year on a series of charges, including the Toshakhana case, cypher case, and accusations of an unIslamic marriage. His wife, Bushra Bibi, has also been in custody for several months. Although some of his convictions were suspended, his release was thwarted by new charges filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) related to the sale of state gifts.
Khan’s chances of release have further diminished following additional arrests by Lahore Police linked to the May 9, 2023, riots, which erupted after his arrest at the Islamabad High Court. The riots saw protesters target government and military installations.
