AWAY from the public’s prying eyes, an isolated courtroom established in a 60 x 30 ‘community hall’ in Adiala Jail serves as the site of Imran Khan’s jail trials, and tribulations.

This venue has seen several key verdicts being handed down against the former prime minister — back-to-back convictions in the Toshakhana and cipher cases, as well as the Iddat case — often bearing more resemblance to a scene from an absurd comedy, rather than a court of law.

Perhaps this is due to the unusual setting. It takes about an hour to reach Adiala Jail from the capital’s Zero Point, as it is located several kilometres from the district courts in Rawalpindi.

The road to Adiala passes through army-run residential schemes as well as other housing colonies managed by civilian departments. The overcrowded jail is quite conspicuous, with its high yellow walls, and can be seen from a distance.

For prisoners, the sight of the jail evokes fear, but journalists can breathe a sigh of relief upon approaching the premises. However, before you enter the prison, your belongings — mobile phones, relevant gadgets, even SIM cards — have to be deposited at the first check post.

After entry and a thorough frisking, the jail authorities stamp visitors — something which is to be protected at all costs.

Jail officials say if you lose the ‘stamp’ or imprint, there will be no exit. This stamp follows another body search on the jail premises, which are well-maintained with the walls properly painted.

From here, journalists are led to the courtroom by a prison official. The makeshift courtroom is divided into a media enclosure, a spot for the suspects, their family members, and a space for the general public.

The family members’ portion of the hall is merged with the seating arrangement for the defence counsel and the prosecution.

The hall is divided by hardboards, and there are no proper chairs. The only seats available in this courtroom are a couple of iron benches with backrests, one wooden bench and a few benches made of concrete without backrests. The general public sits on these concrete pews.

But even here, where all are supposed to be equal in the eyes of the law, Imran Khan is not treated like an ordinary prisoner.

During proceedings, the charismatic former PM sits with his family members and the legal team. He is also allowed free rein in the courtroom; he converses with his sisters and legal team, but there are times when he does not even rise from his chair to address the judge.

His interactions with the media are a regular feature. Jail officials do not bar him from speaking to media persons, but when he starts criticising the military establishment, they can be seen making attempts to silence him. In such situations, they usually escort media persons out of the makeshift courtroom.

When the trial started in November, the jail administration was unfamiliar with how to treat the media. However, as time passed, an understanding was developed between jail authorities and those who visited the prison to cover the trial.

Accordingly, visitors are now served tea and snacks twice or thrice a day. In case proceedings become unusually protracted, jail authorities also share the food — prepared for inmates — with the visitors, completing the jail experience.

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2024