Islamabad High Court Orders Authorities Not to Keep Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in Solitary Confinement
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has directed the Adiala Jail administration not to keep former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in solitary confinement and ordered that they be provided all basic rights and facilities guaranteed under the Constitution and law.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro issued the decision while hearing a case concerning jail facilities for Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
According to the court’s directions, the Adiala Jail administration must ensure meetings between Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, as well as meetings with their respective family members in accordance with jail rules.
The court also ordered the immediate restoration of access to books, newspapers and television. Imran Khan must be allowed to walk for one hour every day in a place where regular human interaction is possible. A record of the people meeting the prisoners will also be maintained.
Imran Khan’s legal counsel, Khalid Yousuf Chaudhry, said the court had also allowed the former prime minister to communicate with his sons living abroad through audio, video and WhatsApp calls.
However, the court stipulated that if these telephone or video conversations are recorded and used for any political purpose, the jail authorities may withdraw the facility.
The high court further ruled that if jail authorities deprive Imran Khan or Bushra Bibi of any relief available to them under the law or a court order, they must provide written reasons and justification for doing so.
The Adiala Jail superintendent has been directed to submit a compliance report within 15 days detailing implementation of the court’s orders.
