The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday directed the Adiala Jail superintendent to ensure incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra are not in solitary confinement.
Disposing of petitions challenging the couple’s alleged isolation in jail, IHC Justice Khadim Hussain Somroo also directed jail authorities to facilitate meetings between the two and allow meetings between Khan and his family in accordance with jail rules. Additionally, jail authorities were directed to provide telephone calls between Khan and his sons though the court warned that this facility should be withdrawn if any recordings of the calls are used for political purposes.
The IHC further directed Adiala Jail authorities to provide the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder with newspapers and books on a daily basis and ensure he receives medical facilities in accordance with jail rules. It said the petitions were maintainable in light of previous judgments, including the Nusrat Bhutto case and decisions concerning Begum Shamim Afridi.
The Adiala Jail superintendent was directed to ensure implementation of the court’s directions and submit a compliance report within 15 days.
The IHC ruling was issued on petitions filed by Aleema Khanum, on behalf of Imran Khan, and Mubashra Khawar Maneka, Bushra’s daughter, against the alleged solitary confinement of the former prime minister and first lady.
Arrested in August 2023, Khan is currently serving out multiple sentences in cases his supporters allege are politically motivated. Last month, the Supreme Court ordered authorities to transfer him to Shifa International Hospital for a medical examination on a petition filed by his sister, Dr. Uzma. However, authorities took him to PIMS, citing security concerns, before shifting him back to Adiala.
The PTI has alleged the transfer to PIMS rather than Shifa International is contempt of court and has filed a petition to this effect. The registrar has fixed this petition with the next hearing of the case, scheduled for Sept. 16.