Islamabad High Court Orders Not to Keep Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in Solitary Confinement
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed jail authorities that the status of the founding chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insafalat (PTI) Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi be avoided and they be not kept in solitary confinement.
IHC’s Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro dismissed petitions challenging their “isolation” inside the prison and gave detailed directions to the jail administration. The petition relating to the former prime minister was filed by Aleema Khan and the petition relating to Bushra Bibi was filed by Mubashra Khawar Manika.
In its judgment, the Islamabad High Court directed jail authorities to arrange a meeting between Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan, and also directed the Superintendent of Adiala Jail to ensure that the two are not put in solitary confinement.
The former prime minister should be allowed to have regular family meetings in line with prison procedures, as well as telephonic meetings with his sons, the court ruled.
The court’s order also called for newspapers and books to be supplied to Khan every day and for him to be supplied with medical care. It also established that there is no prohibition on the use of audio communications facilities but the privilege will be lost if recorded audio is misused. Further, the court directed him to be given proper medical facilities in accordance with the Jail Manuals.
The Islamabad High Court said the petitions should be allowed to be maintained because of precedents set in the Nusrat Bhutto and Begum Shamim Afridi cases, and the Adiala Jail Superintendent should strictly follow the directions of the court and submit a compliance report within 15 days.