The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday heard petitions challenging the alleged solitary confinement of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, with jail authorities denying the allegations and insisting both detainees are receiving facilities beyond standard B-class prison provisions.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro presided over the hearing, during which Advocate General Islamabad Naveed Hayat Malik informed the court that neither Imran Khan nor Bushra Bibi was being held in solitary confinement. He stated that the security arrangements in place should not be confused with punitive isolation and maintained that both prisoners were being provided facilities exceeding normal prison standards.
Jail Superintendent Sajid Beg also appeared before the court and submitted a detailed report regarding the detention conditions. He explained that solitary confinement legally refers to keeping an inmate locked alone in a single cell for 24 hours, adding that this definition did not apply to Imran Khan’s case.
According to the superintendent, Imran Khan is housed in a compound comprising seven interconnected cells, allowing him to move freely within the designated area. He further stated that another convicted prisoner remains assigned to accompany him, arguing that this arrangement contradicts claims of solitary confinement.
The jail administration also informed the court that Imran Khan has access to a television, newspapers, and books. Officials said he receives daily Urdu and English newspapers and has been provided with more than 500 books, with nine additional books recently added to his collection.
However, Barrister Salman Safdar, representing the petitioners, presented a different account. He told the court that during a court-authorized visit, Imran Khan expressed concern over his deteriorating eyesight and requested help in addressing the issue. Safdar said the former prime minister was satisfied with food, security, and sanitation facilities but remained concerned about his health.
The counsel further alleged that he was denied access to his client for seven months before being allowed to meet him following the intervention of the Chief Justice. He claimed that Imran Khan spent most of the meeting discussing mental stress, restrictions on meetings, and prolonged isolation, while also alleging that Bushra Bibi remained confined for 24 hours a day. Safdar also claimed the television provided inside the prison was non-functional.
During the proceedings, Safdar alleged that Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khanum, had visited Adiala Jail dozens of times without being granted permission to meet her brother. He also claimed that Imran Khan had been unable to speak with his sons by telephone for several months, arguing that these restrictions amounted to psychological hardship.
The petitioners requested the court to appoint a panel of lawyers to independently inspect prison conditions and sought permission for Imran Khan to have weekly telephone conversations with his sons. They also asked the court to direct jail authorities to formally commit to facilitating such communication.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro directed all parties to submit written reports and relevant legal references before the court issues its final order on the matter.
