Submitting a reply in court, Superintendent of Adiala Jail Mirza Sajid Baig has rejected allegations that former first lady Bushra Bibi is being held in solitary confinement or subjected to discriminatory treatment, it was reported on Thursday.
According to a written report submitted to the court on Thursday in response to a petition filed by her daughter Mubashra Maneka, the jail superintendent stated that no prisoner at Adiala Jail, including Bushra Bibi, is being kept in solitary confinement.
The superintendent of Adiala Jail said Bushra Bibi is serving her sentence in accordance with the law and is receiving the same facilities and legal treatment as other inmates under the prison rules.
The report acknowledged that additional security arrangements have been made because Bushra Bibi is the wife of the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and a former prime minister.
It said these measures are intended solely to ensure her safety and should not be interpreted as discriminatory treatment. According to him, ordinary female inmates are not permitted to approach Bushra Bibi in order to protect her security.
However, the report said she is free to move within her designated accommodation, which includes a large room, a separate courtyard and an independent kitchen. She is allowed unrestricted movement within this area during the day, while her room is locked only during the prescribed night-time hours in accordance with prison regulations.
The superintendent stated that Bushra Bibi remains under the supervision of female prison officers and staff, with whom she can communicate freely regarding her daily needs. The report added that senior female prison officials, including the additional superintendent and the lady deputy superintendent, regularly visit her accommodation, meet with her and address any concerns she may raise.
The court filing further stated that a female medical officer examines Bushra Bibi at least twice each day. According to the report, her meals are checked regularly, her blood pressure and other vital signs are monitored, and she is provided with specialist medical examinations whenever required.
The superintendent also said that two female warders are assigned to Bushra Bibi at all times. They prepare her three daily meals according to the prescribed prison menu and remain available throughout the day to assist with her routine requirements.
The report stated that Bushra Bibi has access to natural light and fresh air and may move freely within her designated area from the opening of the lock-up in the morning until it is closed in the evening.
It added that she is free to spend her day in accordance with prison rules and that her accommodation is secure, peaceful and supervised by prison staff.
According to the submission, the superintendent, together with the additional superintendent, deputy superintendent and assistant superintendent, regularly reviews the security arrangements in place.
The report also said Bushra Bibi is permitted to meet her husband, the founder of PTI, every Tuesday in accordance with the prison manual, and described her detention and living conditions as appropriate and satisfactory.
Rejecting the allegations made in the petition, the superintendent maintained that there was no element of solitary confinement in Bushra Bibi’s detention.
The report further argued that such a system of solitary confinement does not exist within Adiala Jail or elsewhere in Pakistan’s prison system, describing the claims as based on assumptions rather than facts.
The superintendent concluded by requesting that the court dismiss the petition filed by Bushra Bibi’s daughter Mubashra Maneka, arguing that it is without legal merit.
