RAWALPINDI: The vice chairperson of the Punjab chief minister’s complaint cell, Mehnaz Saeed, on Friday said that former president Asif Ali Zardari was being provided facilities in Adiala central jail strictly in accordance with the jail manual and that there was no air conditioner or air cooler in his cell, but a fan that had been provided as per rules.

Ms Saeed said that she had inspected Mr Zardari’s cell so that reports about provision of illegal facilities to him could be contradicted.

She said that during her visit to the jail, Senior Superintendent of Jail Saqib Nazir Chaudhry and Deputy Superintendent of Jail Mohammad Akram accompanied her.

Ms Saeed also visited B-Class, women and juvenile cells of the jail.

She said that elimination of VIP culture was the main point of the PTI agenda and the government under the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan was striving for the welfare of the common man and no illegal support or facility would be provided to anybody due to their political position and influence or status.

Ms Saeed said that steps were being taken for moral training of prisoners so that they could play active role in society after completing their sentences.

She said that facilities for women and juvenile prisoners were being strictly monitored for improvement plans.

She said the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf had the agenda to make prisons training institutions for moral and psychological betterment of prisoners.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2019