Islamabad: Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has said meetings with prisoners, including the PTI founder, are regulated by the jail manual, which prohibits detainees from discussing politics or making their conversations public. He was speaking at a news conference in Islamabad this evening, alongside Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Law Minister emphasized that the PTI founder is a convicted prisoner and prison rules allow him only one meeting per week, with no more than six people, and the ability to write letters. Citing the Jail Manual, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stated that political matters are not permitted during meetings with prisoners. He added that there must be no criticism of the jail administration or commentary regarding other inmates, stressing that such discussions will remain a private affair.
He further explained that a prisoner is allowed to write only one letter to his family, and its contents cannot be made public. He highlighted that conversations with prisoners cannot be disclosed through press releases, television channels, or social media posts.
The Law Minister noted that Rule 548 of the Jail Manual prohibits meetings with prisoners without the supervision of the Jail Superintendent. He mentioned that Rule 557 empowers the supervising officer to terminate a meeting if the conduct or conversation is deemed prejudicial to public order and peace.
Responding to a question, the Law Minister stated that the demand of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to meet the PTI founder for discussing and finalizing the provincial cabinet is illegal. The Information Minister commented that the PTI founder is the most privileged prisoner of Pakistan, while misleading propaganda is being spread regarding his health and life to defame the government.
The Minister asserted that meetings held with the PTI founder clearly violate jail rules. He added that no such meetings can be allowed under jail rules that provoke and incite people against the state and state institutions.
The Minister declared that the State of Pakistan is committed to establishing its authority, and any law and order situations arising outside the jail will be dealt with firmly. He noted that no other political party has blocked roads, created a law and order situation, or spoken against any state institution, let alone given interviews to Indian and Afghan media outlets. He concluded that national interest cannot be compromised for the whim of an individual.