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IHC reserves verdict on maintainability of petitions against Imran, Bushra’s alleged solitary confinement
The Islamabad High Court has reserved its verdict on the maintainability of petitions challenging the alleged solitary confinement of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. The petitions, filed by their relatives, allege inhumane detention conditions, while the National Accountability Bureau denies the claims.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday reserved its verdict on the maintainability of petitions challenging the alleged solitary confinement of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. The decision came after detailed arguments from both the petitioners' counsel and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor.
Coverage Comparison
Dawn reported that the petitions were filed by Aleema Khan on behalf of Imran Khan and by Mubashara Khawar Maneka on behalf of Bushra Bibi. A day before the hearing, the IHC had removed the registrar office's objections to the petitions and directed that they be numbered, deferring the question of maintainability to the judicial side.
During Tuesday's hearing, Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro heard arguments from Barrister Salman Safdar, representing the petitioners, and NAB prosecutor Rafay Maqsood. The court reserved its order after the proceedings.
Key Claims
Imran Khan is serving a 14-year sentence at Rawalpindi's Adiala jail in the £190m case, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case. Bushra Bibi is serving a 7-year sentence in the same case.
The couple has challenged their convictions before the Islamabad High Court, which has scheduled a hearing of their appeals.
The petitions allege that Imran Khan has been kept in solitary confinement for 22 hours a day, and Bushra Bibi in isolation for 24 hours a day.
Aleema Khan's petition, filed through Barrister Salman Safdar, names the Adiala jail superintendent, the inspector general of prisons, the NAB chairman, the FIA director general, and the executive director of Pims as respondents.
The petition contends that no judicial order had authorised solitary confinement as part of Imran's sentence, making the continued isolation unlawful.
It further claims that no member of Imran's family or PTI leadership had been allowed to meet him for the past six months.
The petition also alleges that Imran's eyesight has deteriorated significantly, with approximately 85 per cent of his vision affected.
Barrister Safdar argued that both the Lahore High Court and the IHC had previously relied on the Begum Shamim Afridi case while dealing with issues relating to solitary confinement.
Responding to objections raised by the NAB prosecutor during proceedings in the £190 million case appeals, the counsel denied having previously sought any relief specifically regarding solitary confinement. He produced a record of a miscellaneous application filed in those appeals, arguing that the application merely sought signatures on a power of attorney, and that there was no mention of solitary confinement in that application or in the written order passed that day.
Perspectives
Petitioners' Allegations
The petitions, filed by family members, describe the detention conditions as unlawful and inhumane. They allege that solitary confinement has been imposed without judicial authorization, constituting one of the harshest forms of punishment. The petitioners request the court to declare the solitary confinement illegal and direct the authorities to end the practice.
NAB's Denial
NAB prosecutor Rafay Maqsood denied that either prisoner was being held in solitary confinement, contesting the allegations made in the petitions.
How this outlet told it
Dawn
Framing: Imran Khan's detention conditions — Critical of the government's handling of Imran Khan's detention
Facts Included:
Imran Khan's alleged solitary confinement
Bushra Bibi's alleged solitary confinement
Aleema Khan's petition to the Islamabad High Court
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimImran Khan is serving a 14-year sentence at Rawalpindi's Adiala jail in the £190m case, also known as the Al-Qadir Trust case.
ClaimThe couple obtained billions of rupees and land worth hundreds of kanals from Bahria Town Ltd to legalise Rs50 billion identified and returned to the country by the United Kingdom during the PTI government.
ClaimThe Islamabad High Court reserved its verdict on the maintainability of petitions challenging the alleged solitary confinement of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.