Interior Minister Suggests Imran Khan Could Be Moved to New Islamabad Jail Facility
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi indicated on Friday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan may eventually be shifted to the new under-construction Islamabad Model Jail. The minister made these remarks during a media interaction following his inspection visit to the prison site in Sector H-11.
Delayed Project with Skyrocketing Costs
The Islamabad Model Jail project, originally launched in 2011, has faced continuous delays over the past fourteen years. What began as a Rs3.9 billion initiative has now seen its estimated cost balloon to Rs18.2 billion, with projections suggesting it will cross Rs20 billion by the end of January 2026.
Constructed on 90 acres of land, the facility is designed to house 2,000 inmates and includes comprehensive medical facilities with an advanced hospital. Officials briefed the minister that phase one of the project has achieved over 85% completion and is expected to become functional within two months.
Special Barrack Intended for Imran Khan Remains Incomplete
Last year, authorities decided to partially activate the jail by December 31, 2025, by completing Special Barrack No. 3 on an emergency basis. This high-security barrack was specifically intended for the transfer of Imran Khan from Adiala Jail, where he is currently incarcerated.
However, construction delays have prevented completion of the special barrack, postponing the potential transfer once again. When asked by reporters whether Imran Khan would be moved to the new facility, Minister Naqvi responded, "If he has been sentenced by Islamabad, then he will come here. The people [sentenced in] Islamabad will be brought here."
Political Storm Over Imran Khan's Health Condition
Naqvi's comments come amid growing political controversy surrounding Imran Khan's health. The former prime minister recently informed his counsel that his right eye is now functioning at only 15% capacity following a medical procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences last month.
This revelation sparked outrage among opposition ranks, with the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan staging a sit-in outside Parliament House, vowing to continue protests until Imran Khan receives proper medical attention in Islamabad. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry assured that the government would show no negligence in Imran's eye examination and medical treatment.
The Supreme Court has intervened in the matter, with a two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hasan ordering that Imran Khan be granted access to his personal physicians in Adiala Jail and allowed telephone contact with his sons.
Advanced Security Features and Comprehensive Facilities
During his inspection, Minister Naqvi reviewed the jail's progress and expressed satisfaction with construction quality while directing authorities to accelerate work through double-shift operations. The facility will feature:
- Dual security walls and a digital monitoring system
- A centralized control room for enhanced surveillance
- Separate large barracks for women and juvenile detainees
- A 22-bed hospital for inmates and staff
- Educational facilities including a school for staff children
- Religious spaces including a mosque, imambargah, and church
- A library and auditorium for rehabilitation programs
The jail is designed to accommodate both convicted prisoners and under-trial detainees, with the cost escalation attributed to persistent delays and steep increases in construction material prices over the years.
Related Infrastructure Development
Minister Naqvi also inspected the new trainee officers' hostel at the National Police Academy, where he reviewed progress on key security and training infrastructure projects. He issued instructions to ensure high-standard accommodation for under-training assistant superintendents, noting that enhanced infrastructure at the academy would improve police training quality nationwide.
The Islamabad Model Jail project has seen multiple review meetings during the tenures of various former prime ministers, reflecting its significance in Pakistan's correctional system development.
