The Islamabad High Court (IHC) is set to conduct a hearing on Monday on petitions challenging the solitary confinement of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi, along with objections from the Registrar’s Office. A single bench comprising Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro will hear the petitions filed by Aleema Khan, Imran Khan’s sister, and Mubashra Manekda, Bushra Bibi’s daughter.
Aleema Khan’s Petition
In her petition, Aleema Khan has challenged the alleged solitary confinement of her brother, describing his detention conditions as unlawful and inhumane. The petition, filed through Barrister Salman Safdar, names the Adiala Jail Superintendent, the Inspector General of Prisons, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General, and the Executive Director of PIMS as respondents.
According to the petition, during a lawyers’ meeting held on April 8, it emerged that Imran Khan had been kept in solitary confinement for 22 hours a day, while Bushra Bibi was allegedly confined in isolation for 24 hours a day. The petition further contended that no family member or PTI leadership had been allowed to meet Imran for the past six months. It argued that no judicial order had authorized solitary confinement as part of his sentence, making the continued isolation unlawful.
Health Concerns Raised
Aleema asserted that her brother was being subjected to inhumane treatment and informed his legal counsel that his eyesight had deteriorated significantly, with approximately 85 percent of his vision allegedly affected. The petition maintained that solitary confinement is among the harshest forms of punishment and cannot be imposed without legal authority. The petitioner prayed the IHC to declare Imran’s alleged solitary confinement illegal and direct the authorities to end the practice.
Mubashra Maneka’s Petition
Recently, a petition was also filed in the IHC by Mubashra Khawar Maneka, Bushra Bibi’s daughter, against the alleged solitary confinement of her mother. The petition, also filed through Barrister Salman Safdar, names NAB, the Superintendent of Adiala Jail, and other relevant authorities as respondents. Mubashra contended that her mother is being unlawfully kept in solitary confinement, in violation of her constitutional and fundamental rights.
Constitutional Violations Alleged
The petition argued that the continued isolation of Bushra Bibi has adversely affected the rights guaranteed to her under the Constitution. The petitioner requested the court to declare the alleged solitary confinement illegal and unconstitutional and to set aside the impugned actions. She further sought appropriate directions to the jail authorities to ensure compliance with constitutional safeguards and protection of the inmate’s fundamental rights.
Broader Context
The hearings come amid ongoing legal challenges to the detention conditions of high-profile prisoners in Pakistan. The IHC’s decision could set a precedent regarding the use of solitary confinement in the country. The court is expected to address the registrar’s objections and examine the merits of both petitions.
