IHC orders Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi not to be kept in solitary confinement
Court issues major directions
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro announced the decision on petitions challenging the alleged solitary confinement of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
Aleema Khan had approached the court on behalf of Imran Khan, while Mubashira Khawar Manika filed the petition concerning Bushra Bibi.
The court disposed of the petitions with directions and ordered the Adiala Jail superintendent to ensure that both are not kept in solitary confinement.
The Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi solitary confinement issue had raised questions about their conditions inside the jail.
Bushra Bibi allowed to meet Imran Khan
The court also directed Adiala Jail authorities to arrange a meeting between Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan according to prison rules.
Imran Khan must also be allowed to meet his family under the applicable jail regulations.
The court made the jail superintendent responsible for ensuring that these directions are followed.
The order on the Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi solitary confinement case also provides clearer instructions about their communication and family access.
Contact with sons ordered
The court further directed authorities to facilitate telephone conversations between Imran Khan and his sons.
The decision allows him to maintain contact with his family while he remains in jail.
The court also addressed the recording of his audio. It said the facility may be used, but it can be withdrawn if the recording is misused.
These conditions form part of the wider directions issued in the case.
Read Also: IHC reserves verdict on Imran-style facilities for Adiala prisoners
Books and medical facilities
The court ordered jail authorities to provide Imran Khan with newspapers and books every day.
He must also receive medical facilities according to the applicable jail rules.
The directions are intended to ensure that basic facilities and healthcare are properly provided during his imprisonment.
The court stressed that prison officials must follow the relevant regulations.
Previous judgments considered
While making its decision, the Islamabad High Court referred to previous judgments, including the Nusrat Bhutto case and the Begum Shamim Afridi case.
The court declared the petitions maintainable and issued specific directions for the jail administration.
The ruling gives the Adiala Jail superintendent direct responsibility for implementing the orders.
The Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi solitary confinement matter will now move into the implementation stage.
15-day report ordered
The court has ordered the Adiala Jail superintendent to submit a compliance report within 15 days.
The report must explain what steps have been taken to implement the court’s directions.
This will allow the court to assess whether the jail authorities have followed the instructions properly.
The Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi solitary confinement case could therefore remain under judicial attention until compliance is reported.
