- Justice Khadim Hussain Somroo announces the reserved verdict.
- IHC directs jail authorities to facilitate calls with Imran’s sons.
- Court orders Adiala superintendent to submit compliance report within 15 days.
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday ordered jail authorities not to keep former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in solitary confinement while disposing of petitions challenging their alleged isolation in jail.
IHC’s Justice Khadim Hussain Somroo announced the verdict reserved on petitions seeking to declare the alleged solitary confinement of Imran and his spouse Bushra illegal.
The petitions were filed by Aleema Khanum on behalf of Imran and Mubashra Khawar Maneka, the daughter of Bushra Bibi, against the alleged solitary confinement of the former prime minister and first lady.
Imran has remained in prison since August 2023 following convictions he and his party describe as politically motivated. Since his ouster in April 2022 following a no-confidence vote, he has faced multiple legal cases.
During the hearing today, the court directed the Adiala jail superintendent to ensure that both Imran and Bushra were not kept in solitary confinement. It also directed jail authorities to facilitate a meeting between them.
The IHC further ordered that the PTI founding chairman be allowed meetings with his family in accordance with jail rules and be provided telephone access to speak with his sons.
The court also specified that the telephone facility should be withdrawn if recordings of Imran’s conversations with his sons were used for political purposes.
The IHC also directed Adiala jail authorities to provide Imran with newspapers and books on a daily basis and ensure that he receives medical facilities in accordance with the jail rules.
The order 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 development comes weeks after the Supreme Court, in its August 18 order, had directed the authorities to transfer the former premier, incarcerated at Adiala jail, to Shifa International Hospital for a medical examination.
However, he was instead taken to Pims, where doctors from Shifa International Hospital were also present, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
While the PTI decried the violation of the court’s order regarding the party founder’s transfer to Shifa International Hospital, the government defended the decision, saying the move was purely based on the security situation.
2026-09-01 10:36:00
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