The Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed on Monday the Adiala Jail authorities not to keep PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in solitary confinement.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro announced the verdict while disposing of petitions challenging the alleged solitary confinement of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in jail.
Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan had approached the court against the alleged solitary confinement of the PTI founder, while Mubashara Khawar Maneka filed a petition concerning Bushra Bibi.
The court directed the Superintendent of Adiala Jail to ensure that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are not kept in solitary confinement and to comply with the directions issued in the verdict.
Court orders meeting between Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi
The IHC directed the jail authorities to arrange a meeting between Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in accordance with the applicable prison rules.
It also ordered that meetings between Imran Khan and his family be facilitated according to jail regulations.
The court further directed authorities to arrange telephone conversations between Imran Khan and his sons.
However, the verdict stated that if recordings of conversations between Imran Khan and his sons are misused for political purposes, the facility of such telephone conversations may be withdrawn.
Newspapers, books and medical facilities ordered
The court directed the jail authorities to provide Imran Khan with newspapers and books on a daily basis.
It also ordered that the PTI founder be provided with medical facilities in accordance with prison rules.
The IHC said the Superintendent of Adiala Jail would be responsible for ensuring compliance with the court’s directions.
Petitions declared maintainable
The court declared the petitions maintainable in light of previous judgments, including the Nusrat Bhutto case and Begum Shamim Afridi case.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro subsequently disposed of the petitions with directions.
The Superintendent of Adiala Jail has also been directed to submit an implementation report within 15 days confirming compliance with the court’s orders.
