The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought a detailed report from Adiala Jail authorities regarding the alleged solitary confinement of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi.
The court also directed prison authorities to submit the relevant jail record before the next hearing. The report will help determine whether the two prisoners have been kept in solitary confinement and whether such confinement has any legal basis.
Court seeks legal explanation from prison authorities
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro issued the directions while hearing petitions filed by Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, and Bushra Bibi’s daughter, Mubashra Khawar Maneka.
At the beginning of the hearing, the judge instructed the Adiala Jail superintendent to clarify whether Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi had been placed in solitary confinement.
The court further asked prison authorities to explain the legal provisions supporting such confinement, if it exists. The judge also sought details about the circumstances and duration of the alleged isolation.
Additionally, the court requested a report outlining the facilities being provided to the former prime minister and his wife inside the prison.
Previous hearing raised questions over prison rules
During the previous hearing, Justice Soomro observed that convictions in National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases do not include solitary confinement as a punishment.
The judge had stated that the court examined both conviction judgments. According to the court, neither judgment awarded solitary confinement as part of the sentence.
As a result, the court decided to seek clarification directly from prison authorities before proceeding further.
Court to decide maintainability after receiving report
Justice Soomro remarked that the court would decide the maintainability of the petitions after reviewing the report submitted by jail authorities.
Moreover, the judge ordered the inspector general of prisons and the Adiala Jail superintendent to ensure their nominated representatives appear at the next hearing.
He also instructed that the officials appearing before the court must be fully informed about all facts and circumstances of the case.
The hearing was later adjourned until August 6.
Petitioners allege prolonged solitary confinement
During the earlier proceedings, counsel for the petitioners, Barrister Salman Safdar, argued that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi had been kept in solitary confinement for several months in violation of prison rules.
He told the court that he was allowed to meet Imran Khan after obtaining a court order. However, he said he had been denied access to Bushra Bibi for the past seven months.
Safdar further alleged that Imran Khan remained confined for about 22 hours each day. He also claimed that Bushra Bibi had remained isolated around the clock.
NAB and government oppose petitions
NAB prosecutor Rafi Maqsood challenged the petitions during the earlier hearing.
He argued that Aleema Khan and Mubashra Khawar Maneka were not aggrieved parties and therefore lacked legal standing to file the petitions.
He also rejected the allegation that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were being held in solitary confinement. According to him, both prisoners were being kept under prison rules applicable to convicted inmates.
Furthermore, he argued that the petitioners had not first approached prison authorities before seeking constitutional relief.
The federal government, NAB, and the Islamabad advocate general also requested the court to dismiss the petitions as not maintainable.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved its decision on the maintainability of the petitions. However, it has now sought detailed reports from prison authorities before making a final determination.
Background
Imran Khan has remained in custody since August 2023. He faces multiple cases, including corruption and terrorism-related charges, following his removal from office through a no-confidence vote in April 2022.
The Islamabad High Court will resume hearing the matter on August 6 after receiving the required reports from prison authorities.
