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Court Reserves Decision After Hearing Arguments
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday reserved its verdict on petitions seeking to declare the alleged solitary confinement of former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi illegal, after hearing detailed arguments from both sides .
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro directed the parties to submit any additional judicial precedents in writing before the court issues its order . The judge also remarked that the matter could perhaps have been resolved through an agreed standard operating procedure between the parties .
Government Rejects Allegations of Solitary Confinement
During the hearing, Adiala Jail Superintendent Sajid Baig and Islamabad Advocate General Naveed Hayat Malik appeared before the court and submitted a compliance report .
The Advocate General argued that neither Imran Khan nor Bushra Bibi had been awarded solitary confinement by any court or competent authority . He maintained that both prisoners were being provided facilities exceeding those available to B-class prisoners, including books, newspapers, medical care, and enhanced security arrangements due to the PTI founder’s political profile .
The jail superintendent informed the court that Imran Khan was accommodated in a seven-cell compound where he could move freely during the day and remained inside his cell only during designated night-time lock-up hours . He argued that solitary confinement, by definition, required continuous confinement in a single locked cell—a condition that did not apply in the present case .
Regarding Bushra Bibi, the jail superintendent submitted a separate report stating she had access to a spacious room, a separate courtyard and kitchen, could move freely within the designated area during the day, and was allowed to meet Imran Khan every Tuesday under prison rules .
PTI’s Position
Representing the petitioners, Barrister Salman Safdar disputed the government’s position, arguing that his clients were being subjected to prolonged isolation amounting to mental torture . He told the court that despite facing more than 300 criminal cases, Imran Khan had not been allowed regular consultations with his legal team, and a 65-minute meeting in April was the first meaningful consultation in several months .
The counsel requested the court to facilitate regular meetings with lawyers and family members, allow weekly telephone calls with Imran Khan’s sons, and permit Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to spend time together in accordance with prison rules .
The PTI “strongly rejected” the jail authorities’ report, alleging that Imran Khan’s rights to visitation had repeatedly been restricted despite court orders, and that he had not been allowed access to his personal physician for medical examination .
