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Inmates talk about the prison’s atmosphere, fancy buildings, and tough life.
BY Mahnoor | 21-05-2026
RAWALPINDI:
Adiala Jail, initially constructed in 1986 for 3,000 prisoners and later enlarged for 4,000, now holds almost 7,000 prisoners and people awaiting trial, making it one of Asia’s biggest jails.
The prison holds prisoners from different countries, like the US, Britain, Nigeria, India, and Bangladesh.
In a recent Islamabad High Court hearing about meetings with the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf founder, government officials said the Adiala Jail superintendent has complete control over the jail and makes all decisions independently.
In prison, inmates and those awaiting trial have created their own secret slang for different parts and activities of jail life.
Prisoners say that inmates who often give money and gifts to jail staff are known as “Sab Acha” or “Tori” prisoners, meaning they have influence and special treatment.
These prisoners can sleep and walk around without restrictions, use cell phones, and get food delivered from their homes.
They also get mattresses and comfy bedding.
Inmates who can’t afford to pay are made to sleep on the floor without bedding, close to the toilets. The prisoners call this area the ‘Motorway’.
Weak tea at breakfast is called “Scale” in prison.
A little bit of meat in thin gravy served weekly is called ‘Diesel.’ Bread that’s not fully cooked, served three times a day, is called ‘Nafri.’
In jail, a watery lentil dish is known as ‘Langar’.
Inmates say prisoners must sit barefoot when the superintendent, judges, or other officials visit, so they can’t throw their shoes.
In prisons, inmates who stand up, complain, or even look at officers during inspections are reportedly seen as committing serious offenses and then physically punished.
If two prisoners get into a fight, they are put in a small punishment cell called ‘Qasuri’, where they can only sit or lie down.
Prisoners held in ‘Qasuri’ are not even brought to court for their hearings.
When prisoners come back from court, they are fully searched, and any money, cigarettes, or other things they have are taken away.
Inmates said cigarettes were very pricey in the jail, with Gold Leaf packs costing Rs800 and Capstan packs costing Rs500.
As summer started, prisoners, female inmates, and kids living with their moms in jail were said to be getting heat rashes.
Inmates asked charities for room coolers, fans, and solar panels to make the prison better, as power cuts happen often.
They also asked charities giving out free food in markets to send some to prisoners.
Some prisoners who finished their jail time are still locked up because they can’t pay court fines.
The prisoners asked wealthy people to donate money to pay their fines, so that poor inmates could be freed.
The prisoners also want the Islamabad jail to open quickly. This would move about 3,000 prisoners from Adiala Jail, which is too full. It would also allow prisoners to sleep in rooms instead of on the floor.
