IHC links X-case to Imran-lawyer access
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday sought a written response from the Islamabad advocate general in a contempt of court petition filed over the authorities' failure to arrange a meeting between PTI founder Imran Khan and his lawyer, Salman Akram Raja.
The direction was issued during the hearing of a writ petition filed by citizen Ghulam Murtaza seeking the blocking of Imran Khan's X (formerly Twitter) account.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, who heard the case, termed the response submitted by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) as unsatisfactory.
He observed that replies had been received from the jail authorities, the PTA and other respondents, but remarked that the PTA's response did not correspond to the nature of the writ petition.
Addressing the PTA's counsel, Justice Tahir said the authority should compare its reply with the actual relief sought in the petition.
During the hearing, Raja informed the court that he had been unable to consult his client in connection with the case, despite a court order dated November 4 permitting a legal meeting.
He stated that he had not been allowed to meet Imran Khan since the filing of the case. The court noted that final arguments in the X-account case would be heard on February 24, subject to the meeting being arranged.
It also sought a detailed written reply in the contempt petition regarding non-compliance with the court's order. The government lawyer contended that matters related to meetings with detainees fall within the jurisdiction of a larger bench.
However, Justice Tahir remarked that the case could not proceed unless the petitioner's counsel was allowed to meet his client.
Directing the government to submit its stance in writing, the judge observed that an appropriate order would be passed. The court adjourned further hearing of the case until February 24.
PTI founder Imran Khan has been detained at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail since September 2023. The former PM has not been allowed to meet his lawyers since November 2025.