Pakistan top court receives report on Imran Khan’s jail conditions

Pakistan’s Supreme Court received a detailed report on Wednesday on the health and jail conditions of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from a court-appointed “friend of the court,” Advocate Salman Safdar, officials said.

The apex court is scheduled to take up the matter for hearing on Thursday, when it is expected to review the findings and consider whether further directions are required.

According to court officials, Safdar met Khan at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail and visited his cell as part of an assignment given by the Supreme Court. The report runs to seven pages and 22 paragraphs and has been formally submitted to the bench.

Speaking to reporters after submitting the report, Safdar said his role was limited to conveying factual information directly to the judges.

“My responsibility was to submit facts before the Supreme Court, which I have done,” Safdar said, adding that it would be inappropriate to disclose the contents publicly.

He rejected reports in sections of the media claiming he had made public statements about Khan’s health. “I have not given any statement about Imran Khan’s health,” Safdar said, describing such reports as misreporting.

Safdar also said he did not share any details of the report with Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, or with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Salman Akram Raja.

He said both were aware of the professional limits attached to his court-appointed role.

Safdar meets Imran

A day earlier, Safdar met Khan at Adiala Jail after being named amicus curiae by the Supreme Court to independently assess concerns raised by Khan’s legal team.

The appointment followed petitions from PTI lawyers alleging restrictions on Khan’s legal access, family meetings, medical care and prison conditions.

After emerging from the jail on Tuesday, Safdar told reporters he had been given unrestricted access to Khan in line with the court’s instructions.

“I was given complete access to Khan sahib as directed by the court,” Safdar said at the time. “It would not be appropriate to say anything further until I submit my report to the Supreme Court.”

Referring to the duration of the meeting, he said it had lasted about three hours.

During that interaction with reporters, Safdar said Khan’s health was satisfactory but declined to provide further details, saying a comprehensive report would be submitted to the court.

How it all started

Imran Khan, a former international cricket star turned politician, served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 until his removal through a parliamentary vote of no confidence in 2022.

He has been held at Adiala Jail since August 2023 in connection with multiple criminal cases. Khan and PTI deny wrongdoing and say the prosecutions are politically motivated.

His arrest in May 2023 triggered nationwide protests, including demonstrations targeting military installations, followed by a sweeping crackdown on his party.

Despite that, PTI emerged as the single largest party in Pakistan’s 2024 general election. The party alleges widespread rigging prevented it from securing a majority, allowing rival parties to form a coalition government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Shehbaz Sharif and his coalition partners have rejected the allegations.