IHC overrules objections to Imran’s jail meetings plea

Intra-court appeal for allowing meetings with family, lawyers, personal physician to be heard today

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday removed the Registrar Office's objections concerning an intra-court appeal, which pertains to granting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan the right to meet with his family, legal counsel, and personal physician while detained in Adiala Jail.

The court has scheduled the appeal for a hearing on Wednesday (today).

A division bench, consisting of Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, presided over the appeal.

The challenge to the IHC's September 25 order, which had ordered Imran's transfer from Attock Jail to Adiala Jail, was at the heart of this petition.

Furthermore, the petition contended that although the IHC had ordered improved accommodations for the PTI chairman in Adiala Jail, it had not issued any directive regarding his requests for meetings with his family, legal representatives, and physician.

Read more: Bushra Bibi moves IHC for Imran’s protection

According to the petition, the jail administration had permitted two visits per week, with Mondays designated for meetings with Imran's wife and sisters, and Thursdays reserved for discussions with his lawyers.

Regrettably, only four lawyers had been granted access to meet with the PTI chairman.

Sher Afzal Marwat, representing PTI, requested the court to amend the IHC single bench's order from September 25 to allow these crucial meetings. In response, the court has removed the Registrar Office's objections and scheduled the appeal for a hearing on Wednesday (today).

Read Bushra fears Imran could be ‘poisoned’ in Adiala Jail

Meanwhile, Imran's wife, Bushra Bibi, has filed a separate petition, urging the court to expedite her plea for ensuring security and protection for Imran during his incarceration.

This petition, presented through Sardar Latif Khosa Advocate, revealed that the plea had been initially heard on October 5, with the court subsequently issuing notices to the involved parties.

However, the Registrar's Office set the next hearing date for October 25, prompting this request for an earlier hearing.

The petition further underscored that no measures had been taken to ensure Imran's security within the jail, and he had not been granted the permission to have home-cooked food. Additionally, the PTI chairman's movement within Adiala Jail had been restricted due to its large inmate population.

Expressing concerns about the possibility of harm to Imran while in custody, the petition implored the IHC to expedite the hearing to address these pressing security issues.