Inside Adiala Jail: How Imran Khan’s death rumours have once again exposed the dark reality of Pakistan’s most feared prison

File photo of Adiala Jail in Pakistan's Rawalpindi

Fresh rumours about Imran Khan’s death inside Adiala Jail have once again exposed the dark and troubling reality of one of Pakistan’s most infamous prisons. Speculation erupted after claims surfaced that the former prime minister had died in custody, triggering violent protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers who reportedly attempted to storm the jail premises in Rawalpindi.

Authorities were forced to intervene as the situation spiralled. The Adiala Jail administration issued a statement rejecting the claims as false. “There is no truth to reports about his transfer from Adiala jail. He is fully healthy and receiving complete medical attention,” prison authorities said.

Despite the clarification, the panic and unrest highlighted widespread distrust in Pakistan’s institutions and brought renewed attention to the prison where Khan has been held since August 2023.

Adiala Jail and its long reputation of fear and infamy

Adiala Jail is not just another detention facility. It is considered one of Pakistan’s most notorious maximum security prisons, known for housing hardened criminals, terrorists, death row inmates and high-profile political prisoners. Its history is deeply rooted in political repression and state control.

The prison was first established at its current location near Jinnah Park in 1882 and has since become synonymous with brutality and intimidation. One of its darkest moments came in April 1979 when former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was executed inside the jail premises, an event that remains a scar on Pakistan’s democratic record.

Though renovated over time, the prison’s image has never shed its association with political punishment and human rights violations. Its imposing structure contains eight blocks divided into barracks and cells meant for thousands, yet it has become a symbol of overcrowding and institutional decay.

Overcrowding and inhumane living conditions

Officially, Adiala Jail has a capacity of 1,900 inmates. In reality, it holds over 6,000 prisoners, trapping men and women in suffocating, poorly ventilated cells. Prisoners remain cramped in dim spaces where disease, hunger and neglect are common.

Inmates have repeatedly complained about the quality of food and water. One prisoner told Dawn, “The meat reeks of diesel rather than cooking oil. Drinking water is supplied through bore wells which makes the inmates susceptible to numerous diseases.”

Despite claims of rehabilitation facilities and educational programmes, the ground reality points to a system riddled with neglect and corruption, where basic dignity remains a luxury.

A prison of power and political punishment

Adiala Jail has housed some of Pakistan’s most powerful and controversial figures, including Asif Ali Zardari, Nawaz Sharif and Yousaf Raza Gilani, along with convicted terrorists such as Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi and Mumtaz Qadri. This mix of political prisoners and extremists has only reinforced its reputation as a place where justice and politics collide in an opaque and punitive system.

A report by Dawn described Adiala Jail as Pakistan’s equivalent of Delhi’s Tihar Jail, highlighting that despite heavy security, both prisons have seen breaches and failures.

Imran Khan’s incarceration and allegations of mistreatment

Since his ouster as prime minister, Imran Khan has been imprisoned on multiple charges, including corruption and state secrets, which he maintains are politically motivated. His party and family have consistently accused authorities of subjecting him to harsh and degrading treatment.

His son Qasim Khan said, “The conditions my father is kept in are extremely harsh. He is confined to what is effectively a death cell, with poor hygiene and no proper facilities. For almost a year now, he has not been allowed to see his personal doctor.”

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf later alleged that Khan had been placed in solitary confinement. “Unlike the rest of the prisoners, the cell door of Imran Khan remains shut at all times and he is denied any human contact,” the party said, adding that electricity and newspapers had been cut off. “All of this is not only unlawful but also in violation of prison regulations,” PTI added.

Sisters’ assault claims and renewed unrest

The situation escalated when reports emerged that Khan’s sisters were allegedly assaulted outside the prison while trying to meet him. They claimed they had not been granted access for more than three weeks. Afghan media then reported that Khan had “succumbed to alleged mistreatment” and that his body was moved out of the prison.

This led to violent demonstrations that had to be de-escalated by religious and political leaders.

To counter the outrage, the authorities again insisted on his well-being. “He is fully healthy and receiving complete medical attention,” Adiala Jail officials told Geo TV.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif attempted to downplay concerns by claiming that Khan enjoys better facilities than ordinary prisoners. “Check the menu of the food that comes for him, it is not available even in a five-star hotel,” he said. He also added, “There are exercise machines for him as well” and alleged that Khan slept on “a double bed and velvet bedding”.

A symbol of Pakistan’s failing justice system

The continuing chaos around Imran Khan’s detention and the swirling rumours underline a deeper crisis within Pakistan’s governance and justice system. Adiala Jail stands as a grim reminder of how power, fear and repression operate in a country where transparency remains elusive and public trust continues to erode.

While officials issue routine denials and assurances, the perception of secrecy and manipulation persists. For many in Pakistan, Adiala Jail is not just a prison, it is a symbol of institutional rot, where political dissent is controlled behind high walls and iron bars, and where truth is always in question.