Law enforcement has taken into custody the former Deputy Superintendent of Punjab Jails, who was recently transferred from Central Jail Adiala in June, under suspicion of acting as a “messenger” for PTI founder Imran Khan, as reported by local media on Wednesday.
Deputy Superintendent Judicial Tahir Siddique Shah stepped into the role of security supervisor for Imran Khan after Muhammad Akram was removed from the position on June 20. The arrest of Shah is being viewed as a significant event, especially since it occurred just two days after the military’s media wing, ISPR, announced the arrest of retired Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed, the former head of the ISI, on charges of violating the Army Act. A Field General Court Martial is reportedly already in progress.
Sources say the former Adiala Jail Deputy Superintendent was apprehended from the jail colony and is currently under investigation for allegedly assisting Imran Khan, who has been held in the jail for over a year. This arrest has sparked concerns about the possible impact on the ongoing investigations connected to Khan, with analysts speculating that it could be part of a wider crackdown on individuals within the prison system suspected of aiding the PTI leadership. The involvement of a senior jail official highlights the seriousness and complexity of the situation, which continues to develop.
The timing of Shah’s arrest, so close to the detainment of retired Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed, has fueled speculation that there might be a broader effort to address alleged misconduct among those in positions of authority. The legal proceedings against both men are being closely monitored, as they could set important precedents for how violations of the law—whether military or civil—are dealt with in Pakistan. The outcomes of these cases are likely to have significant implications for the country’s political landscape, as Pakistan navigates through a period of intense tension and uncertainty.