ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed prison authorities not to keep Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in solitary confinement.
Justice Khadim Hussain Somroo passes the order while disposing of petitions challenging the alleged solitary confinement of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in prison.
The ruling comes in response to concerns raised before the court regarding the conditions of detention of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi and their access to family members, communication and other facilities available under prison rules.
The petitions were filed by Aleema Khan on behalf of Imran Khan and Mushaira Khawar Maneka on behalf of Bushra Bibi.
In its decision, the court directed the authorities at Adiala Jail to facilitate a meeting between Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. The superintendent of Adiala Jail was also instructed to ensure that neither of them is kept in solitary confinement.
The court further ordered that Imran Khan be allowed to meet his family in accordance with prison rules and be provided an opportunity to speak with his sons by telephone.
The judgment directed prison authorities to provide Imran Khan with newspapers and books on a daily basis. It also ordered that he be provided with medical facilities in accordance with the applicable prison rules.
Regarding the recording of Imran Khan’s conversations, the court observed that the facility could be withdrawn if his audio recordings were misused.
The IHC declared the petitions maintainable with reference to judgments in the Nusrat Bhutto case and the Begum Shamim Afridi case, among other legal considerations.
The court directed the superintendent of Adiala Jail to ensure strict compliance with its instructions and submit a report on implementation within 15 days.
