Khan’s privacy in prison being ‘invaded’ through CCTV cameras: report

• CCTV cameras installed outside Khan’s cell for his security, says spokesperson,
• IHC adjourns hearing of Imran’s appeal against Toshakhana sentence until Aug 24,

Islamabad_Former prime minister Imran Khan’s privacy in his cell in the Attock Jail is being compromised through the cameras installed inside, it has been revealed.

Attock Additional Sessions Judge Shafqatullah Khan has issued a report after inspecting the jail on August 15. The report says that Imran Khan’s concerns about the jail are a violation of the prison rules.

The report further says that the PTI chairman expressed his concerns about the CCTV cameras installed in front of the prison at a distance of about six to seven feet.

The CCTV cameras invade the PTI chairman’s privacy as they cover two to three feet of the open bathroom wall.

Judge Shafqatullah Khan said the concern expressed by Imran Khan is genuine and is a violation of the relevant sections of the prison rules. However, the report says, the jail superintendent has assured of redressing the complaint.

It further states that Imran Khan has complained that his wife and lawyers do not have easy access to him. The superintendent has assured that the prisoner will be given access to his wife and lawyers as per the rules.

While,

PPD spokesperson said all facilities available under rules 257 and 771 of the Pakistan Prisons Rules, 1978 have been made available to the PTI chief.

Addressing the concerns that did not have any privacy in the bathroom, the spokesperson said a new washroom was constructed in the PTI chairman’s cell.

“The walls of the washroom are kept five feet high and a door is also installed,” he said, adding that a western commode and wash basin have also been installed in the washroom.

Earlier,

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s appeal against his conviction in the Toshakhana reference by a sessions judge until August 24,

During the hearing, IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Justice Aamer Farooq remarked that the court had sought the case’s record by issuing notices on the appeal. “Whether the record has been received,” he asked.

Counsel for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Amjad Pervaiz told the court that he was still to receive attested record of the case.

Pervaiz also sought from the court ‘suitable time’ to prepare his arguments in the case. “If the court gives me two weeks to submit my reply, it will be appreciated,” he said.

The CJ, however, refused to accept the ECP’s lawyer’s request, and said he was ready to give him time, but that would not be two weeks.

Opposing the ECP’s request, Latif Khosa, Imran’s lawyer, complained that he had not been given enough time to present arguments.

He prayed to the court to release the PTI chairman on bail. “Already notices have been issued in the case,” Advocate Khosa said, adding, “My client is languishing in jail where he has been denied even basic facilities.”

He accused the election commission of using delaying tactics. “The sessions judge gave the verdict in haste, without looking at merits of the case,” he claimed, and added, “The decision given by the sessions court is a violation of both the Supreme Court (SC) and IHC’s orders.”

Imran’s lawyer said that since the SC had given bails in such cases; therefore, it was prayed to the court to grant his client bail as well.

Addressing ECP’s lawyer, CJ Farooq said the court would neither accept your petition nor that of Imran’s counsel.