As a security precaution ahead of the SCO meeting, former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will continue to be held in custody.

Rawalpindi [Pakistan], October 7: Former Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has been prohibited from meeting family members, lawyers, and party leaders until October 18, according to a report by Geo News.

The Punjab government in Pakistan has imposed strict restrictions, leading to a ban on all meetings inside Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan is currently imprisoned. This ban also applies to all other prisoners at Adiala Jail, as reported by ARY News.

Citing security concerns, jail authorities have enforced the blanket ban on meeting Khan, which will remain in effect until October 18.

Geo News noted that this is not the first time such restrictions have been imposed at the Adiala facility. A similar ban was enforced in March for a two-week period earlier this year.

The current measure is intended to strengthen the prison's security in light of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, scheduled to take place in Islamabad from October 15 to 16.

Heightened security measures have been implemented at Adiala Jail, following an incident earlier this year when Pakistan's Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) claimed to have recovered a hand grenade and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from the facility. In a separate incident in November 2023, police discovered a bag containing an explosive device near Adiala Road, just 1 km from the prison.

Previously, Pakistan's security agencies expanded their investigations and arrested six additional jail staff members for allegedly aiding PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi.

Pakistan has intensified security efforts across the country, aiming to project a strong stance against terrorism ahead of the SCO summit, which prominently includes the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) as a permanent body focused on counterterrorism, combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

The RATS structure facilitates the sharing of key intelligence on terrorist activities and drug trafficking.

Additionally, the provincial government of Punjab has sent a letter to Rawalpindi's district administration and jail authorities, outlining further security measures to be implemented. The letter, issued by the Punjab Home Department, refers to a threat alert issued by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on October 6 and calls for strict security protocols and preventive measures to address any potential incidents, according to reports from Pakistani media outlets.

In an effort to present itself positively to the international community, Pakistan is intensifying its security preparations for the SCO member states. The central government has enlisted the Pakistan Army as part of a comprehensive security plan, with troops being deployed following constitutional approval from October 15 to 17.