Pakistan court orders jail authorities to ensure Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi are not kept in solitary confinement
Islamabad High Court disposed of petitions challenging the isolation of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, ordering Adiala Jail authorities to cease solitary confinement, facilitate marital and family meetings, and restore phone access to Khan's sons
Aamir Abbasi
Editor, Islamabad
Aamir; a journalist with 15 years of experience, working in Newspaper, TV and Digital Media. Worked in Field, covered Big Legal Constitutional and Political Events in Pakistan since 2009 with Pakistan’s Top Media Organizations. Graduate of Quaid I Azam University Islamabad.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued its verdict in the petitions challenging the alleged solitary confinement of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, on Tuesday, ordering Adiala Jail authorities to restore standard prison facilities and facilitate family access under statutory jail rules.
What facilities and visitation rights did the Islamabad High Court order for Imran Khan?
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro delivered the judgment, declaring the petitions filed by Imran Khan's sister, Aleema Khan, and Bushra Bibi's representative, Musarrat Khawar Maneka, fully maintainable.
Citing landmark judicial precedents—including the Nusrat Bhutto case and the Begum Shamim Afridi case—the court held that basic human rights and visitation privileges enshrined in prison manuals cannot be arbitrarily curtailed.
Under the binding court directives, the Adiala Jail administration must implement the following measures:
- Spousal & Family Meetings: Facilitate regular face-to-face meetings between Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, alongside scheduled visitations with immediate family members.
- International Phone Access: Restore telephone conversation privileges allowing Imran Khan to speak with his sons living abroad. The court specified that authorities may record audio during these calls, reserving the right to withdraw the facility if recordings are misused for political campaigning or state security breaches.
- Educational & Medical Amenities: Ensure daily provision of national newspapers, selected books, and comprehensive medical care compliant with prison regulations.
What specific directives did the court issue regarding Bushra Bibi and prison compliance?
Addressing allegations surrounding Bushra Bibi's detention conditions, the high court explicitly directed the Superintendent of Adiala Jail to ensure she is not subjected to solitary confinement or undue isolation.
Justice Soomro formally disposed of the petitions while instructing jail authorities to submit a compliance report verifying that all ordered facilities, visitations, and reading materials are provided strictly within the framework of the Punjab Prison Rules
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