IHC allows Imran to meet Bushra Bibi on Eid

Court also orders additional provision of one meeting per week

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) allowed on Monday a meeting between incarcerated former premier Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi over Eidul Fitr. 

The court heard a plea by the former first lady pertaining to her transfer to Adiala jail and meeting her husband in prison over Eid. 

 

The court directed that the two should be allowed to meet over the occasion and additionally allowed a meeting per week between the two. 

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb observed that the government holds the right to declare any private property as sub-jail.

The state counsel informed the court that, according to its directive, the director of law conducted an inspection of Bani Gala sub-jail and subsequently submitted a report.

The court instructed the counsel to furnish a copy of the report to the petitioner, stating that the visiting officer of Bani Gala sub-jail had expressed satisfaction with the facilities provided.

Justice Miangul expressed displeasure at the jail administration of Adiala jail for not permitting Bushra to meet Imran and for not transferring the PTI founder's wife to Adiala Jail.

Read Bushra doesn’t want preferential treatment

Justice Miangul raised concerns regarding the alleged overcrowding in Adiala jail and highlighted that despite claims of overcrowding, “since the January 31 sentence, 141 women were admitted”.

The court criticized the justification given for not transferring Bushra Bibi, asserting that it lacked coherence in light of the ongoing admissions.

Justice Miangul also admonished the administration for its failure to satisfy the court's concerns and observed that they undermined the rule of law.

The hearing was then adjourned indefinitely.

On January 31, Bushra Bibi voluntarily surrendered before the accountability court after receiving a 14-year sentence in the Toshakhana case.

On February 22, the IHC was informed by the Adiala jail superintendent that former premier Imran Khan's wife could not be shifted to the prison due to 'security threats'.

Both Imran and his wife are sentenced to 14 years imprisonment in the Toshakhana case and are also barred from holding any public office for the next 10 years. They are fined a combined amount of Rs1,574 million.