The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has granted major relief to former prime minister Imran Khan, directing Adiala jail authorities not to keep him or his wife, Bushra Bibi, in solitary confinement.
IHC Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro announced the verdict on petitions challenging the alleged prolonged isolation of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in jail.
The court declared the petitions maintainable in light of principles established in earlier judgments, including the Begum Nusrat Bhutto and Begum Shamim Afridi cases, and disposed of the petitions with directions to the jail authorities.
The court ordered the superintendent of Adiala jail to ensure that neither Imran Khan nor Bushra Bibi is kept in solitary confinement. It also directed authorities to facilitate a meeting between the former prime minister and his wife in accordance with prison rules.
The IHC further directed jail authorities to allow Imran Khan to meet his family members as permitted under the applicable jail rules.
The court also ordered arrangements for telephone conversations between Imran Khan and his sons. However, it clarified that the phone facility could be withdrawn if recordings of those conversations were used for political purposes.
In another relief for the PTI founder, the court directed Adiala jail authorities to provide him with newspapers and books on a daily basis.
The jail authorities were also instructed to ensure that Imran Khan receives medical facilities in accordance with applicable prison rules.
The petitions were filed by Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, and Bushra Bibi’s daughter, Mubashra Khawar Maneka, challenging the alleged solitary confinement of the former prime minister and his wife.
During previous hearings, the government and Adiala jail authorities had denied that Imran Khan or Bushra Bibi were being held in solitary confinement.
The government had maintained that Imran Khan was housed separately because of security concerns associated with his political profile and was being provided facilities beyond those available to B-class prisoners.
Adiala Jail Superintendent Sajid Baig had told the court that Imran Khan was not confined to a single cell throughout the day and had access to a compound comprising seven cells, allowing him to move around during the day.
Jail authorities had similarly maintained that Bushra Bibi was housed separately due to security concerns and that the arrangement did not amount to solitary confinement.
However, Barrister Salman Safdar, representing the petitioners, rejected the government’s stance and argued that the restrictions amounted to prolonged isolation and were causing mental distress.
He had also raised concerns over limited access to lawyers, family members and books and sought regular meetings and weekly telephone calls between Imran Khan and his sons.
The IHC has now directed the Adiala jail superintendent to ensure strict compliance with its orders and submit an implementation report within 15 days.
The development comes weeks after the Supreme Court, in an August 18 order, directed authorities to transfer Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for a medical examination. He was instead taken to PIMS, where doctors from Shifa International Hospital were also present, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
The PTI had criticised the decision, alleging that the Supreme Court’s directions regarding the hospital transfer were not followed, while the government defended the move on security grounds.
Also read: Govt reacts to claims that Imran Khan is kept in solitary confinement