Caretaker minister lists facilities provided to Nawaz in jail

–Deposed premier given ‘better class’ facilities, including bed, 21-inch TV, newspapers, regular medical check-ups

LAHORE: Caretaker Punjab Information Minister Ahmad Waqas Riaz said on Wednesday that the Punjab government under Pakistan Prisons Rules 1978 had provided facilities of a better class to Nawaz Sharif.

Nawaz Sharif had been provided facilities on July 14 as per his privilege, he added.

Talking to the media at Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) here, he said a convict of the better class could get his dress, bed, mattress, shoes, chair, 21-inch TV, radio, washroom, newspaper and other items on his own expenses.

He said that Nawaz Sharif had been kept in a separate room in the jail’s better class portion where he had been provided an iron bed, table, chair, newspapers, his private bed sheets and clothes, one ceiling fan, two bracket fans, toilet facilities and a permission of a TV set had also been given.

Nawaz Sharif had been given suitable place for a walk and he was using the place on a regular basis, he added.

MEDICAL CHECK-UPS:

Medical staff of jail and consultants of Rawalpindi’s Institute of Cardiology were regularly conducting his medical check-ups and an appointed cook was providing recommended food, the minister said, adding, “Health of Nawaz Sharif is satisfactory”.

Waqas Ahmad Riaz said that on the wish of Nawaz Sharif, family members and friends could meet him on Thursday while legal experts could meet him once a week.

Additional Inspector of General Prisons department Malik Mubashar Ahmed Khan said that the jail rules and regulations were being followed and possible facilities had been provided to Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

He said: “After amendment in the constitution now there is no A or B class in the jail but a common and better class. Nawaz Sharif has been kept in a better class jail.”

While responding to questions, Ahmed Waqas Riaz said that special measures had been taken to provide security to politicians in Punjab.

The deposed premier was convicted and sentenced to 11 years in Avenfield reference verdict. He, along with his daughter Maryam Nawaz, presented himself for arrest on Friday the thirteenth this month while returning from London. He was attending his ailing wife Kulsoom Nawaz who is undergoing medical treatment.