Khan’s party lawyer meets ex-PM at jail on Pakistan top court’s orders
Advocate Salman Safdar says Imran Khan’s health is satisfactory but declines to share further details
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.
A file photo of PTI lawyer Salman Safdar meeting with ex-PM Imran Khan at a court.
PTIOfficialUSA/X
A lawyer representing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the country’s largest opposition party, met its founder and former prime minister Imran Khan at Adiala Jail on Tuesday after being appointed by Pakistan’s Supreme Court as a “friend of the court” to review Khan’s access and legal rights.
Advocate Salman Safdar, named amicus curiae by the court, held the meeting under a judicial directive aimed at independently assessing concerns surrounding Khan’s incarceration, including his health, legal access and prison conditions.
Speaking briefly to reporters after emerging from the jail, Safdar said he had been given unrestricted access to Khan in line with the Supreme Court’s instructions.
“I was given complete access to Khan sahib as directed by the court. It would not be appropriate to say anything further until I submit my report to the Supreme Court,” Safdar said.
Referring to the length of the meeting, he added: “You can see that I have come out after three hours,”
Safdar also said Khan’s health was satisfactory but declined to share further details.
“I will not share more details about Imran Khan but will submit a comprehensive report in the Supreme Court,” he said.
The Supreme Court appointed Safdar as amicus curiae earlier this week following petitions from Khan’s legal team raising concerns over his treatment in custody and his ability to consult lawyers and family members.
Khan, who was ousted from office in a parliamentary vote of no confidence in 2022, has been held at Adiala Jail since August 2023 in connection with multiple cases. He and his party deny wrongdoing and say the prosecutions are politically motivated.
PTI has repeatedly sought court intervention over Khan’s detention conditions, medical care and legal access, prompting the court to appoint an independent lawyer to assist in its review.
The Supreme Court is expected to examine Safdar’s findings in upcoming hearings before deciding whether further directions are required.
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