WEBDESK: Journalist Zahid Gishkori has revealed details about the expenses incurred by the government for keeping former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan in jail.
According to Gishkori, the government has spent over Rs550 million on Khan’s imprisonment. The security around his cell includes 26 guards and five agency operators stationed outside the jail.
Monthly expenses for his security amount to Rs1.2 million, while Rs500,000 is spent on his food and essentials, averaging a daily cost of Rs32,000. Enhancements to his cell’s surroundings have cost PKR 20 million.
Moreover, Rs50 million has been spent on the salaries of security personnel assigned to him.
Meanwhile, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) team and prosecutors handling high-profile cases against Khan have incurred costs of Rs300 million. Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) investigations into 12 cases have cost Rs50 million, while law enforcement across the country has spent Rs100 million on cases involving him.
It was also revealed that Imran Khan has over Rs20 million in his Adiala Jail bank account, which he can use at his discretion.
Additionally, there have been discussions between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan which included the possibility of Saudi mediation in securing Khan’s release if the United States (US) were to exert pressure. However, Saudi officials reportedly indicated they might not play a role in this matter. Speculations suggest that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman might even decline any such request from the U.S.
Imran Khan has been detained for approximately 520 days. During this time, he has faced a total of 188 cases, including four investigations and inquiries by the NAB, 12 investigations by the FIA, and 172 criminal cases registered across 70 police stations nationwide.
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