Imran Khan Bushra Bibi Isolation Must be Ended, Islamabad High Court Orders Adiala Jail

The Islamabad High Court has ruled that petitions challenging the prison conditions of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are maintainable. IHC ordered jail authorities to end any isolation and guarantee proper access to family and basic prisoner rights.

Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro issued clear directives to the superintendent of Adiala jail to ensure that neither Imran Khan nor Bushra Bibi is kept in solitary confinement at Adiala jail.

The court reserved its decision on August 6 after reviewing petitions filed by Aleema Khan, the sister of Imran Khan, and Mubashra Khawar Maneka, the daughter of Bushra Bibi.

The court declared the petitions maintainable based on legal principles from past Begum Nusrat Bhutto and Begum Shamim Afridi cases. Justice Soomro announced the verdict on Tuesday.

Prison Rights

The IHC instructed jail authorities to implement the following measures:

• Authorities must facilitate meetings between Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in line with prison rules. Regular family visitation must also be permitted.
• The prison must arrange phone calls between Imran Khan and his sons. However, the court ruled that this facility will stop if call recordings are leaked for political purposes.
• Officials must provide daily newspapers and books to Imran Khan. He must also receive proper medical treatment under prison regulations
• The Adiala jail superintendent must submit an implementation report to the court within 15 days.

Government Stance and Legal Arguments

Defense counsel Barrister Salman Safdar argued that severe restrictions are causing the prisoners mental distress and prolonged isolation. He highlighted restricted access to legal teams, family, and books

During earlier hearings, government representatives and Adiala jail authorities denied allegations of solitary confinement, cruelty, or deprivation. The advocate general stated that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi live separately for security reasons and Khan receives more facilities than standard B-class prisoners.

Adiala Jail Superintendent Sajid Baig informed the court that Imran Khan has access to:

• Home-cooked meals
• Reading materials
• Phone calls
• Visits
• A compound of seven cells for daytime movement rather than a single locked room

PTI rejected the government’s claims as fabricated and misleading.