Pak HC Directs Jail Authorities Not To Keep Imran Khan, Wife In Solitary Confinement

Pakistan’s Islamabad High Court on Tuesday directed Adiala Jail authorities not to keep former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in solitary confinement, while ordering greater access to family, communication, reading material and medical care.

Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro declared petitions challenging the alleged solitary confinement of Khan and Bibi maintainable and directed the jail authorities to ensure they are not kept in isolation. The court also ordered that Khan’s family members be allowed to meet him according to jail rules and that arrangements be made for telephone conversations between the 73-year-old politician and his sons.

The court further directed Adiala Jail to provide Khan with newspapers and books daily and ensure medical facilities in line with prison regulations. The jail superintendent must implement the directions and submit a compliance report within 15 days.

The ruling follows months of complaints from Khan’s family and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters over his alleged isolation and restricted access to relatives and medical care. Amnesty International said last month that Khan had faced prolonged solitary confinement and restrictions on family visits, legal access and medical care.

The issue of family access had already reached Pakistan’s Supreme Court. On August 18, the apex court ordered weekly family meetings for Khan amid concerns over his health. He subsequently met his wife and sister at Adiala Jail, reportedly for the first time in nine months.

Khan’s sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, have separately voiced grave concerns about their father’s condition, alleging prolonged isolation and inadequate medical attention. The government has rejected allegations of mistreatment.

The latest IHC order also comes amid a dispute over Khan’s medical treatment. The Supreme Court had ordered his transfer to Shifa International Hospital, but authorities instead took him to the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for medical procedures and tests before returning him to Adiala Jail, citing security concerns.

Khan’s sister Uzma Khan has filed a contempt petition alleging violation of the Supreme Court’s order. The Supreme Court has scheduled the matter for September 16, after rejecting her request for an earlier hearing.