ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has declared the petitions of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi admissible and directed the Adiala Jail administration not to keep them in solitary confinement.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro delivered a reserved verdict. The court ruled that there was a legal basis for hearing the petitions, and the principles laid down in past court decisions, especially in the Begum Nusrat Bhutto and Begum Shamim Afridi cases, have been taken into account.
The court directed the superintendent of Adiala Jail not to keep Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in solitary confinement. The judgement also emphasised ensuring necessary facilities and medical care as per prison rules.
The Islamabad High Court has also directed the jail authorities to arrange a meeting between Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi as per prison rules. In addition, it has been ordered to allow Imran Khan’s family to meet them under prescribed rules.
The court was also directed to arrange telephone conversations between Imran Khan and his sons. However, according to the court decision, this facility can be withdrawn if the recording of these telephone conversations is used for political purposes.
The decision is also directed to provide Imran Khan with daily newspapers and books and provide medical facilities as per the prison rules. The superintendent of Adiala Jail has been ordered to ensure the implementation of the court orders and submit an implementation report to the court within 15 days.
These petitions were filed by Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan and Bushra Bibi’s daughter Mubashara Khawar Manika. The petitioners had taken the stand that both of them were being kept in solitary confinement in the jail for a long time.
On the other hand, the jail authorities had denied the allegation of solitary confinement before the court. The authorities maintained that Imran Khan was kept separate from other prisoners for security reasons, and he could not be declared in solitary confinement.
The court had reserved the verdict on August 6 after hearing the arguments of the parties. In the latest verdict, the court declared the petitions admissible and issued clear instructions to the jail administration.
