IHC tells Adiala jail authorities to ensure Imran, Bushra Bibi are not kept in solitary confinement

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued a ruling on Monday, affirming the maintainability of petitions that questioned the solitary confinement of PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, presiding over the case, declared the petitions viable, citing precedents set by the Begum Nusrat Bhutto and Begum Shamim Afridi cases.

The court ordered the Adiala jail authorities to prevent Imran and Bushra from being housed separately, as stipulated by prison regulations. The IHC mandated that Imran's family be permitted to meet him, in accordance with jail rules, and stipulated that phone calls between him and his sons should be arranged, with the caveat that these calls could be suspended if their recordings were utilized for political reasons.

Additionally, the court directed the jail superintendents to provide Imran with daily newspapers and books, and to ensure he received appropriate medical care, in line with prison regulations. The order was specifically directed to the Adiala jail superintendent to verify that Bushra Bibi was not being confined to solitary confinement and to submit a compliance report within fifteen days.

The IHC also ordered the jail authorities to ensure strict adherence to these directives. The petitions were submitted by Imran's sister, Aleema Khan, and Bushra Bibi's daughter, Mubashra Khawar Maneka, challenging the prolonged isolation of the former prime minister and his wife. Initially, the government and Adiala jail authorities denied that either party was subjected to solitary confinement, arguing that Imran was isolated for security reasons and provided enhanced facilities due to his political standing.

The jail superintendent, Sajid Baig, testified that Imran was not kept in a single cell at all times and had access to a compound of seven cells, where he could roam during the day. Bushra Bibi was reportedly housed separately due to security concerns, not as solitary confinement. Barrister Salman Safdar, representing the petitioners, challenged the government's stance, alleging that the imposed restrictions constituted extended isolation and mental anguish, further alleging limited access to legal counsel, family, and educational materials, and requesting regular meetings and weekly phone calls between Imran Khan and his sons.

Last week, following an interview of Imran's sons broadcast during a Test match between Pakistan and England, the Ministry of Information released a statement via social media and to foreign press, refuting allegations of punitive solitary confinement, cruelty, or deprivation. The statement asserted that Imran was not under "executive detention" and that he was incarcerated based on multiple convictions from judicial proceedings.

It further maintained that Imran was entitled to all legal remedies available under Pakistani law, while the PTI party dismissed the ministry's claims as "misleading, fabricated and incorrect."