The Islamabad High Court (IHC) is set to hear a petition today (Monday) that seeks the closure of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's X (formerly Twitter) account. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir will preside over the proceedings.
Adiala Jail Response and Court Directives
Authorities at Adiala Jail have already submitted their response to the court. Meanwhile, the IHC has directed other respondents to file their replies on the matter. Imran Khan's legal counsel, Salman Akram Raja, is representing the former premier in this case.
Earlier, the court had permitted Raja to meet with Imran Khan for consultation on the case. However, despite the court's order, the meeting could not take place.
Separate Petition by Bushra Bibi's Daughter
In a related development, the IHC Registrar's Office has assigned a case number to a petition filed by Mubashra Khawar Maneka, a daughter of Imran Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi. The petition has been scheduled for a hearing. In her plea, Maneka has requested access for her mother to a personal physician and also sought family visitation rights.
Background on Cybercrime Investigation
In January, the country's cybercrime watchdog, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), informed the IHC that Imran Khan had refused to cooperate with investigations into his alleged social media posts made from inside prison. The NCCIA submitted a report to the IHC, which is hearing a petition filed by citizen Ghulam Murtaza seeking the blocking of Imran Khan's X account.
Imran Khan has been detained at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail since September 2023. Despite his incarceration, he regularly makes social media posts, particularly on X, to criticize the government and state institutions.
