ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed prison authorities not to keep Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in solitary confinement.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro of the Islamabad High Court disposed of petitions challenging the alleged solitary confinement of the two prisoners, issuing a set of directions to the Adiala Jail authorities.
The petitions were filed by Aleema Khan on behalf of Imran Khan and Musharrafa Khawar Maneka against the alleged isolation of the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi.
In its ruling, the court instructed the Adiala Jail superintendent to ensure that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were not kept in solitary confinement. The authorities were also directed to facilitate a meeting between Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan.
The court ordered that Imran Khan be allowed meetings with his family in accordance with jail rules and be provided an opportunity to speak with his sons by telephone.
The IHC further directed jail authorities to provide Imran Khan with newspapers and books on a daily basis.
The ruling also stated that his audio recordings could be made available subject to safeguards, adding that the facility could be withdrawn if the recordings were misused.
The court directed authorities to ensure that Imran Khan receives medical facilities in accordance with prison rules.
The IHC declared the petitions maintainable in light of precedents set in the Nusrat Bhutto case and the Begum Shamim Afridi case.
The Adiala Jail superintendent was directed to ensure compliance with the court’s orders and submit an implementation report within 15 days.