The Islamabad High Court has declared the petitions regarding the alleged isolation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in Adiala Jail admissible.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, while delivering the reserved verdict, directed the jail authorities not to keep Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in solitary confinement. The court also ordered to ensure the right of both to meet as per the jail rules.
The court also directed the Adiala Jail administration to arrange a meeting between Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. The order clarified that this meeting should be as per the relevant jail rules.
The Islamabad High Court also issued instructions on the issue of meetings with Imran Khan’s family. The jail authorities were told that family members should be allowed to meet him as per the jail rules.
The court also directed that Imran Khan should arrange for telephone conversations with his sons. The aim of this order is to maintain the legal and family contacts available to a person imprisoned in jail as per the rules.
The petitions had taken the stand that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were being kept apart in jail for a long time. The petitioners requested that this arrangement be declared illegal.
On the other hand, the jail authorities have previously denied these allegations in the court. The authorities said that the two prisoners were not sentenced to solitary confinement. According to them, Imran Khan has been kept in separate arrangements on the basis of security reasons and he is also being provided with various facilities in the jail.
In August, the court had reserved the verdict after the parties completed their arguments. At that time, the Adiala Jail authorities had also submitted a report regarding Imran Khan’s accommodation and available facilities.
The main legal question in the case was whether the petitions regarding these alleged conditions are hearable in the High Court. The court also took into account the principles laid down in previous court cases in its decision.
Earlier, Justice Soomro had sought details from the jail authorities regarding the condition of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, the facilities provided and the legal basis for the alleged isolation. The court had also asked what the legal basis and duration of any isolation, if any, was imposed.
In the latest decision, the court’s focus was not limited to the issue of alleged isolation but also issued practical instructions regarding meetings and telephone communication. Thus, the jail administration will have to ensure that the prison rules are followed in the matter of Imran Khan’s family contacts.
After the court order, the Adiala Jail authorities will now have to implement these instructions. However, the fact that the petitions are declared admissible does not in itself constitute conclusive confirmation of the allegation that Imran Khan or Bushra Bibi were illegally kept in solitary confinement.
The matter has come to light at a time when Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are lodged in Adiala Jail in different cases and issues related to their stay in jail, visits and legal rights are being debated in the courts.
