A Pakistan court has barred authorities from keeping jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan in solitary confinement and directed Adiala Jail officials to facilitate timely meetings with his family. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) also ordered the jail authorities to arrange a meeting between Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in accordance with prison rules.
The ruling came after Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, approached the court over his alleged solitary confinement. Bushra Bibi’s daughter, Mubashara Khawar Maneka, also filed a petition concerning her mother.
Court orders family meetings, phone calls
Pronouncing the verdict, IHC Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro directed that Khan’s family members be allowed to meet him as permitted under jail rules. The court also ordered the authorities to make arrangements for telephone conversations between Khan and his sons. His family and supporters have repeatedly alleged that he has faced restrictions on access to relatives and adequate medical care. The government has rejected those allegations.
Dispute over Khan’s medical treatment
His family subsequently approached the court, arguing that the decision breached the Supreme Court’s order directing that Khan remain admitted at the Islamabad hospital until the next hearing on September 16.
Last month, Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered the government to shift Khan to the privately run Shifa International Hospital following months of concerns raised by his family and supporters about his health, including an eye condition diagnosed earlier this year.
