ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday ordered authorities at Adiala jail not to keep former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in solitary confinement.
Justice Khadim Hussain Somroo announced the verdict reserved on petitions challenging the alleged isolation of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in prison.
The petitions were filed by Aleema Khanum on behalf of Imran Khan and Mubashra Khawar Maneka, Bushra Bibi’s daughter, seeking to declare their alleged solitary confinement unlawful.
IHC orders family meetings for Imran, Bushra
The court directed the Adiala jail superintendent to ensure that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were not kept in solitary confinement.
It also ordered the jail authorities to facilitate a meeting between the two.
The IHC further directed that Imran Khan be allowed to meet his family members in accordance with jail rules and be provided telephone access to speak with his sons.
However, the court said the telephone facility could be withdrawn if recordings of Imran’s conversations with his sons were used for political purposes.
Imran Khan to receive newspapers, books and medical care
The Islamabad High Court also ordered Adiala jail authorities to provide Imran Khan with newspapers and books every day.
The former prime minister was also directed to be provided medical facilities in accordance with applicable jail rules.
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The court said the petitions were maintainable in light of previous judgments, including the Nusrat Bhutto case and rulings concerning Begum Shamim Afridi.
The Adiala jail superintendent was directed to ensure compliance with the court’s orders and submit a compliance report within 15 days.
Imran Khan’s imprisonment
Imran Khan has remained in prison since August 2023 following convictions in multiple cases, which he and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have described as politically motivated.
He has faced several legal cases since being removed as prime minister in April 2022 following a no-confidence vote.
Supreme Court had ordered medical examination
The IHC’s latest order comes weeks after the Supreme Court, in an August 18 order, directed authorities to transfer Imran Khan from Adiala jail to Shifa International Hospital for a medical examination.
However, he was instead taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), where doctors from Shifa International Hospital were also present, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
The PTI criticised the decision, describing it as a violation of the Supreme Court’s order, while the government defended the move, saying security considerations were behind the decision.
