LAHORE - Punjab government is providing all facilities to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in Adiala Jail after he was shifted to there on the night between July 13 and 14 last.

Punjab Information Minister Ahmad Waqas Riaz, interacting with media along with DIG Prisons Lahore Malik Mubashir Ahmad Khan here yesterday, said the family members and friends of Nawaz Sharif could meet him on request in the jail on every Thursday although this restriction was not for the counsel representing him in the court of law.

The minister said in light of the application made and in view of the fact that Nawaz Sharif has been member of the Parliament, better class facilities had been provided to him in terms of Pakistan Jail Rules 1978. He said a prisoner enjoying better class was entitled to avail the facilities of clothes, bed, mattress, chair, radio, TV, newspapers and others like washroom items etc. at his own expenses.

He said Nawaz had been lodged in separately in better portion of the jail which was furnished with a steel bed, table, chair, ceiling fan and two bracket fans, washroom and a 21 inch TV set. Nawaz had been provided a proper place for strolling while a lawn was also attached with his room.

Ahmad Waqas further said that the medical staff of the jail and consultant cardiologists of Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiologist were examining his health state regularly. On the advice of a dietician, proper food was being provided to Nawaz for which a cook had been specially appointed. The minister said Nawaz was being given fruit including dates, salad and other food items like mince-meat as advised by the dietician.

Nawaz was in the best of health, he added. He said his family members and friends could make a request to see him on Thursday.

He further said Maryam Nawaz was also being given proper facilities and the media reports that she had not been given due facilities were without any substance.