Adiala Jail Superintendent Rejects Family, Doctor Meeting Request for Bushra Bibi
Rawalpindi:The superintendent of Adiala Jail has rejected a request seeking family visits and access to a personal physician for Bushra Bibi, wife of former prime minister Imran Khan.
According to a written report submitted to the Islamabad High Court, the jail superintendent stated that political discussions were held outside the prison after inmate meetings. The report specifically mentioned that Bushra Bibi’s sister, Maryam Riaz Wattoo, allegedly posted political content on social media following family visits.
The case was heard by Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir on a petition filed by Bushra Bibi’s daughter, Mubashira Maneka. The petition requested permission for family meetings, access to a personal doctor, and provision of essential items.
During the hearing, Islamabad Advocate General Naveed Malik informed the court that the jail administration had already decided on the representation seeking family meetings and had not granted immediate permission.
Representing the petitioner, lawyer Salman Akram Raja argued that the reasons given in the report were unjustified. He told the court that Maryam Riaz Wattoo had never even visited Adiala Jail and currently lives abroad. He questioned how a daughter could be denied a meeting with her mother based on the social media posts of a third person.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir suggested that authorities could obtain an affidavit regarding the matter. The advocate general responded that the restriction was not permanent and added that the prison administration had to manage the overall jail system and security concerns.
The jail superintendent informed the court that Adiala Jail currently houses around 7,200 prisoners and that meetings are scheduled according to the nature of inmates’ crimes under the Prison Management Information System and jail manual regulations.
The judge remarked that the system appeared organized and said the court wanted to fully understand the procedure before issuing any final order. He directed both sides to present arguments in light of jail rules and advised authorities to facilitate a meeting between Bushra Bibi and her daughter whenever possible during the interim period.
The court adjourned further hearing of the case until May 14.
