Punjab prison officials refuse to hand over Gill to Islamabad police

RAWALPINDI, Aug 17 (NNI): Prison officials at Adiala jail have refused to hand over Shahbaz Gill to an Islamabad police party that arrived at the prison to secure custody of the PTI leader, who was earlier remanded into police custody by the court.
The resistance from Punjab officials — under the Pervaiz Elahi government — came shortly after Imran Khan and other party leaders expressed fears that Islamabad police will extract from Gill a ‘false statement’ against Imran Khan during the interrogation.
Imran Khan also ordered the Punjab government to somehow move Gill to a hospital to evade his transfer to Islamabad authorities, even if it meant flouting court orders.
A private television channel reported that when a party from Islamabad police – led by DSP Khalid Awan, Kohisar Police Station SHO Arshad Hussain and Investigation Officer Talat — arrived at Adiala jail, the prison officials said that they were moving Gill to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) Rawalpindi.
Islamabad police officials, however, insisted on securing his custody as ordered by the court.
As the argument continued more police personnel from both Punjab police and Islamabad police arrived at the jail, creating a standoff. There are so many vehicles outside the prison gate the entry has been blocked, the TV reported.
ATS and Punjab police personnel have been deployed at the gate.
Officials have also called in ambulances from Rescue 1122, which is under the Punjab government, and PIMS Hospital, which is under Islamabad authorities.
Punjab officials have also deployed a police contingent at DHQ Rawalpindi where Gill is to be likely moved, reported Adil Tanoli.
Shah Gill faces sedition charges and was detained on August 9, a day after he urged personnel of the armed forces to disobey their commanders. Gill made the remarks in a phone-in conversation over a private-run TV channel.
He was sent to Adiala jail only two days after being arrested as a lower court turned down the police request to extend his physical remand.
After the police petitioned the Islamabad High Court, the Islamabad District and Sessions Court on Wednesday granted police 48 hours to interrogate Gill to complete their investigation.
Police say they want to recover the mobile phone and other devices being used by Gill. NNI