Maryam refuses prison comforts

Islamabad, July 15 

Maryam Nawaz, daughter of Pakistan’s disgraced former premier Nawaz Sharif, who was imprisoned with her father, has rejected an offer for better facilities in jail.

Sharif, 68, and Maryam, 44, were taken into custody in the Avenfield corruption case, shortly after their arrival at the Lahore airport from London on Friday night. They were flown to Islamabad on a special aircraft and then were taken to the Adiala Jail in separate armoured personnel carriers escorted by police convoys.

Coming from a rich family, Maryam is entitled to a “B” class jail, which lists facilities such as a mattress, table and chair, ceiling fan, 21-inch TV and a newspaper, all at personal cost. However, she refused and her handwritten and signed letter is widely circulated on media. It reads, “I was offered better class facilities, by the jail superintendent as per the rules, that I refused of my own will. This is purely my decision, taken without any pressure from anyone.” 

However, her father and her husband Muhammad Safdar applied and got “B” class facilities, according to jail officials. Sharif, being a former PM, is entitled to “A” class facilities. Safdar is entitled for “B” class as a former army officer and parliamentarian. — PTI

‘Jailed for being Sharif’s daughter’

Maryam Nawaz, daughter of Pakistan’s disgraced former premier Nawaz Sharif, has said that she is in prison for being the daughter of a brave man. In an emotional audio message recorded before going to jail, Maryam appealed to the nation to pray for her mother’s (Kulsoom Nawaz) health. “They want to make me a weakness of my father, but luckily I am now a source of strength,” she said.