IHC summons Adiala jail superintendent in Bushra Bibi case, seeks medical, visitation reports

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday summoned Adiala Jail Superintendent Sajid Baig, warning he could be produced by force if he fails to appear at the next hearing.

The order came during proceedings on a petition seeking access for Bushra Bibi to a personal physician and permission for family visits. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir expressed concern over the superintendent’s absence despite prior court orders.

The court had earlier ordered Baig on May 4 to decide within two days on an application filed by Bushra Bibi’s daughter regarding medical access and family visitation, and to appear in person on May 6.

During the hearing, Islamabad Advocate General Naveed Hayat Malik, appearing in court for the first time since his appointment, requested more time, arguing the matter was not urgent. However, petitioner’s counsel Salman Akram Raja opposed the request, terming the case "urgent" and alleging that Bushra Bibi’s family had been denied visitation rights.

Raja told the court that the last family meeting took place on February 24 and claimed that even routine visits were not being facilitated. He also criticised what he described as decisions being made “over the phone”.

The advocate general maintained that Bushra Bibi, as a convicted prisoner, was being treated in accordance with jail rules and said records of past meetings could be presented. A tense exchange followed, prompting the court to intervene and direct that proceedings not be dictated.

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Noting continued non-compliance with its orders, the court again summoned the superintendent to appear at the next hearing. It also directed that Bushra Bibi’s daughter be present and sought detailed reports on her medical condition and prison visitation arrangements.

The hearing was adjourned until Tuesday.

Imran and Bushra Bibi remain incarcerated in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail. They were sentenced on December 20, 2025, to 17 years in prison in the Toshakhana-II case, which pertains to allegations that the couple unlawfully retained a Bulgari jewellery set gifted by the Saudi crown prince during an official visit to Saudi Arabia.

Bushra Bibi was moved back to Adiala jail on April 17 after a crucial eye surgery in Rawalpindi, as concerns over her health continue to ripple through political circles. According to jail officials, ophthalmologists diagnosed retinal detachment, a condition that requires immediate intervention.

She was shifted to a private hospital on the evening of April 30, where she underwent pre-operative tests and subsequently consented to surgery. The procedure was carried out by Professor Dr Nadeem Qureshi along with a medical panel, after which she was discharged following an overnight stay and returned to custody.

Concerns around her condition had already been mounting after a document dated March 28 surfaced online, indicating that a doctor at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences had examined her and noted a "history of blurring of vision and a black spot in the right eye for the past 11 days".