Renowned Islamic scholar Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza has shared his personal experience of detention at Adiala Jail, challenging both government and PTI claims about former prime minister Imran Khan’s prison conditions.
Speaking on the Geo News program ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath,’ Mirza said the public has been presented with extreme and misleading narratives from both sides. Having been held in a cell adjacent to Imran Khan, he said his account is based on direct observation, not hearsay.
Mirza revealed that Imran Khan has been provided six small cells, each measuring around 10 by 12 feet. One cell is used by Khan’s orderly, another serves as his living space, while the remaining are used for storage and movement. He said this arrangement gives Khan additional space but does not mean special treatment.
He recalled that he initially did not know he would be housed next to the PTI founder. On one occasion, while walking, he heard Imran Khan’s voice and confirmed it with other inmates. He also mentioned that a fellow inmate had been moved earlier because Khan complained about noise affecting his sleep.
According to Mirza, Imran Khan follows a routine where he comes out around 9am for breakfast and often discusses cricket with his orderly. He added that narratives surrounding Khan’s jail life are being deliberately distorted.
Rejecting claims that his own arrest and placement were planned, Mirza said no one briefed him or contacted him for any agenda. He stressed that he does not work for any institution or group and that people making such claims are projecting their own experiences onto him.
Describing daily life in jail, Mirza said Khan’s lunch is usually prepared around 3pm, noting the smell of desi ghee. He confirmed that inmates, including himself, had access to television and newspapers.
During the period of the “tweets case,” Mirza observed that Imran Khan appeared deeply angry and frustrated, often speaking loudly. While he overheard several conversations, mostly about cricket, he refused to share details to avoid causing difficulties for Khan or being accused of pushing political narratives.
Mirza stated that Imran Khan is under immense psychological pressure, adding that any extroverted person would struggle under similar circumstances. He praised Khan’s endurance and said he prayed for him during his imprisonment.
He firmly rejected claims that Imran Khan is kept in isolation, calling them false. According to him, Khan is housed in a known section of the jail where many prominent figures have previously stayed. For security reasons, he did not disclose the exact location.
Mirza confirmed that Imran Khan receives basic jail facilities, including nuts, juices, LED access to news, newspapers, and regular medical check-ups. He clarified that these facilities are available to other inmates as well, especially high-profile prisoners.
“Jail is still jail,” Mirza said, stressing that no level of facility changes the hardship of incarceration.
Expanding on issues within the justice system, Mirza shared the story of a Christian man who spent over 13 years in prison on blasphemy charges and was later released, only to pass away days afterward. He also mentioned a blind and mentally unstable prisoner facing similar charges and referred to recent court releases in blasphemy-related cases.
He praised jail police staff for their humane treatment of inmates and cited a National Commission for Human Rights report alleging the use of honey traps in blasphemy cases, placing responsibility on instigators rather than the accused.
Mirza warned that if such allegations could be made against him, anyone could be vulnerable. He commended the judiciary for showing courage, naming several judges, and noted that dozens of bails have been granted in similar cases.
He concluded with a warning that the state has begun moving towards a “hard state” approach, saying his case was used as an example to assert authority.
