Pakistan High Court orders no solitary confinement for Imran Khan, wife Bushra Bibi

The Islamabad High Court told Adiala Jail authorities not to keep Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in solitary confinement. It also ordered family meetings, phone access, reading material, medical care and a compliance report within 15 days.

In Short

• Justice Soomro held the petitions maintainable before issuing detailed directions
• Authorities must arrange telephone conversations between Khan and his sons
• Jail officials were told to provide newspapers books and medical care

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday directed jail authorities to ensure that former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are not kept in solitary confinement while serving their prison sentences.

The court also ordered authorities to facilitate family meetings with Khan as permitted under jail rules and make arrangements for telephone conversations between him and his sons.

IHC Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro passed the order while holding maintainable petitions challenging the alleged solitary confinement of Khan and Bushra Bibi, who are currently lodged in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

COURT ORDERS FAMILY MEETINGS, PHONE CALLS

The high court directed Adiala jail authorities to allow Khan's family members to meet him in accordance with prison rules. It also ordered arrangements for telephone conversations between the former premier and his sons.

The court further directed jail authorities to provide Khan with newspapers and books every day and ensure that he receives medical facilities as prescribed under jail rules.

The Adiala jail superintendent has been directed to ensure compliance with the court's orders and submit a report within 15 days.

PETITIONS CHALLENGED ALLEGED SOLITARY CONFINEMENT

Justice Soomro had reserved his verdict on August 6 on separate petitions filed by Khan's sister, Aleema Khanum, and Bushra Bibi's daughter, Mubashra Khawar Maneka.

The petitions challenged the alleged solitary confinement of Khan and his wife at Adiala Jail.

Khan, 73, a former cricketer-turned-politician, has been in prison since August 2023 after being convicted in several cases. He and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have repeatedly described the cases against him as politically motivated.

IMRAN KHAN, BUSHRA BIBI SERVING PRISON TERMS

Khan and Bushra Bibi are currently serving lengthy prison sentences in corruption and related cases.

The IHC's latest directions require the jail administration to ensure that Khan has access to family contact, telephone communication, reading material and medical care while in custody.

The compliance report ordered by the court is expected to establish whether Adiala Jail authorities have implemented the directions.

- Ends