Imran Khan, wife Bushra Bibi get slight relief as Pak HC bars solitary confinement

In a recent development, Pakistan's Islamabad High Court has issued a directive to ensure that former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are not subjected to solitary confinement. The ruling also established provisions for family meetings, phone calls, access to reading material, and medical care for the couple. The court ordered the jail authorities to allow family visits, arrange phone conversations with Khan's sons, provide daily newspapers and books, and ensure access to prescribed medical facilities.

The Rawalpindi Jail superintendent has been tasked with implementing these directives and submitting a compliance report within 15 days. Both Khan and his wife have been in custody since August 2023, serving prison sentences for corruption cases. Khan's party and supporters allege the cases are politically motivated, while the government denies allegations of mistreatment.

Bushra Bibi was initially jailed in January 2024 and released on bail in October 2023 before being arrested again in January 2025. The court's decision comes as Khan's detention and medical treatment are under scrutiny in separate proceedings before the Supreme Court.