Jail rejects daughter's plea to meet Bushra

Adiala tells IHC family uses meetings for politics

ISLAMABAD:

The superintendent of Adiala Jail has opposed a request seeking meetings between former prime minister Imran Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, and her family members as well as access to a personal physician, arguing that such interactions were being used for political messaging outside the prison.

In a written report submitted to the Islamabad High Court (IHC), the jail superintendent stated that family meetings were followed by public political statements and social media activity, which, according to the administration, affected prison discipline and security.

The matter came before Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir during the hearing of a petition filed by Bushra Bibi's daughter, Mubashra Maneka. The petition sought permission for regular family meetings, access to a private doctor and provision of essential items.

Islamabad Advocate General Naveed Malik and Adiala Jail Superintendent Sajid Baig appeared before the court during the proceedings.

The report submitted by the jail authorities specifically referred to social media posts attributed to Bushra Bibi's sister, Maryam Riaz Wattoo, claiming that tweets were shared after family meetings with the former first lady.

The administration argued that such conduct raised concerns regarding prison management and security arrangements.

Advocate General Malik informed the court that the superintendent had already decided the representation regarding prison meetings and had declined to allow immediate access. However, he clarified that the restriction was not permanent and could be reviewed later.

Counsel for the petitioner, Salman Akram Raja, challenged the grounds cited by the jail authorities and argued that the denial was based on alleged political discussions taking place outside the prison.

He contended that Maryam Riaz Wattoo had never visited Adiala Jail and currently resided abroad, questioning how her social media activity could be used as justification to stop a daughter from meeting her mother.

At this point, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir directed the advocate general to obtain an affidavit from the relevant individual regarding the matter.

The advocate general reiterated that the prison administration had not imposed a blanket ban and was acting in line with prison management requirements.

During the hearing, Superintendent Sajid Baig informed the court that Adiala Jail currently housed around 7,200 inmates and that meeting schedules were arranged separately according to the nature of prisoners' offences.

He said meetings were conducted six days a week, from Monday to Saturday, under the jail manual and the Prison Management Information System.

Justice Tahir observed that the system appeared organised and said the court wanted to fully understand the procedure before passing any order.

He stressed that the jail administration must strictly follow the jail manual and ensure fairness to all parties.

The court said it would hear the matter in detail before issuing a final ruling and directed authorities to facilitate a meeting between Bushra Bibi and her daughter whenever possible in the meantime.

The hearing was adjourned until May 14, with directions for all parties to present detailed arguments in light of the applicable prison rules.