Islamabad High Court
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the government to ensure the safety and well-being of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi, who are currently incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.
In a written verdict issued by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, the court mandated that all entitled facilities be provided to the former first couple during their imprisonment.
This decision came in response to a petition filed by Bushra Bibi concerning the provision of necessary amenities and protection of basic rights for Imran Khan while in jail.
Imran Khan, ousted from power via a no-confidence motion in April 2022, has faced a slew of legal challenges including charges ranging from corruption to terrorism since losing the premiership.
He has been in custody since August last year following convictions in the Toshakhana case and other related cases leading up to the February 8 elections.
While Khan obtained relief in several cases and was acquitted in the cipher case, he remains incarcerated due to the conviction in the iddat (un-Islamic nikah) case.
The IHC emphasized that the petition addressed broader issues affecting not only the PTI founder but also prisoners in general, asserting that imprisonment should not equate to inhumane treatment.
Citing guidelines from the case of Khalid Hussain vs Ministry of Human Rights, the court underscored the federal government’s obligation to enforce these standards, particularly in Adiala Jail and across all prisons nationwide.
The court criticized the government for its failure to uphold these guidelines and urged immediate compliance to ensure humane conditions and respect for prisoners’ rights.
It highlighted Pakistan’s commitments under international human rights agreements and noted the government’s inadequate steps to implement these obligations.
By disposing of Bushra Bibi’s petition with these directives, the IHC reaffirmed the importance of upholding the rights of prisoners while emphasizing the need for reforms in prison conditions across the country.
In February, Khan and Bushra Bibi were sentenced to seven years in prison for marrying during the iddat period, a period during which a woman cannot remarry under Shariah law.
Last month, an Islamabad district and sessions court rejected their pleas to suspend these sentences in the iddat case.
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