Progress in Plea to Block Imran Khan’s X Account as Adiala Jail Superintendent Submits Reply

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought arguments on the merits of a petition seeking a ban on the X (formerly Twitter) account of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.

During the hearing, the court also sought the stance of PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan regarding the petition concerning Imran Khan’s X account. The hearing was subsequently adjourned, with arguments on the merits to be presented at the next hearing.

Meanwhile, the superintendent of Adiala Jail submitted a reply in a contempt of court case concerning the failure to allow lawyer Salman Akram Raja to meet Imran Khan despite a court order.

In his response, the jail superintendent stated that political discussions take place during meetings with Imran Khan and, therefore, the meeting could not be allowed.

Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir remarked that Salman Akram Raja would not engage in political discussions during the meeting and asked whether he would be allowed to meet Imran Khan if he gave an assurance that no political discussion would take place.

The state counsel said he would seek instructions from the Advocate General and submit a response.

Justice Arbab Tahir directed the state counsel to clarify at the next hearing whether the meeting would be permitted if there was an assurance that no political discussion would take place.

Salman Akram Raja argued that he could not present arguments on the merits of the case without obtaining instructions from Imran Khan. He said the court had already issued an order regarding his meeting with the PTI founder, but the order had not been implemented.

He further argued that if the authorities had any objection to the court’s order, they should have filed an appeal instead of disregarding it.

During the hearing, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir asked whether PTI had submitted its response and who was appearing on behalf of the party. A counsel representing Barrister Gohar informed the court that the PTI chairman was not in the city and would appear at the next hearing.

Justice Arbab Tahir said there was no need for Barrister Gohar to appear personally and asked that the party’s position simply be conveyed to the court.

Salman Akram Raja said PTI had no connection with the case and that Imran Khan was the main party to the proceedings. He maintained that the main party should be allowed to give instructions to his lawyer.

When asked by the court whether he was representing Imran Khan, Raja replied that he was unable to obtain instructions from him.

Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir questioned why the court was hearing Raja if he was not able to obtain instructions from the main party. The court also asked Adiala Jail authorities why Salman Akram Raja was not being allowed to have the power of attorney signed by Imran Khan.

Raja clarified that the issue was not limited to the power of attorney, saying he wanted to obtain instructions from Imran Khan. He reiterated that the jail authorities had failed to comply with the court’s order allowing him to meet the PTI founder.

Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir observed that the court had issued the relevant order in November 2025 and said Raja was being heard even without obtaining instructions from Imran Khan.

The court adjourned the hearing of the petition seeking a ban on Imran Khan’s X account and directed that arguments on the merits of the case be presented at the next hearing.