ISLAMABAD (Rizwan Qazi) - The Islamabad High Court has issued a written order in petitions challenging the alleged solitary confinement of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, stating that serious allegations of unlawful treatment in prison cannot be ignored.
In a 10-page written order, Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro observed that the petitions contain serious allegations regarding solitary confinement and treatment contrary to prison laws. The court said such claims cannot be dismissed without issuing notices to the respondents and obtaining a report from jail authorities.
The order noted that court records show the prisoners had been sentenced to rigorous or simple imprisonment in the event of non-payment of fines, but they had not been awarded solitary confinement as part of their sentences.
According to the written order, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor informed the court that allegations of solitary confinement were false and politically motivated. The court, however, directed the Superintendent of Adiala Jail to submit a detailed factual report on the matter.
The court sought clarification on whether Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi had been placed in solitary confinement, under whose authority such action was taken, and under which legal provisions it was authorised. It also directed jail authorities to specify the duration of any such confinement, if applicable.
Additionally, the court ordered prison officials to submit a report on the current conditions of both prisoners and the facilities being provided to them in accordance with jail rules.
The IHC also directed the Superintendent of Adiala Jail, the Inspector General of Prisons, and the NAB to appear with the complete prison record and all relevant documents at the next hearing.
The court observed that the maintainability of the petitions would be determined after receiving the jail superintendent's report and adjourned the case until August 6.