Pakistan: Islamabad High Court Orders Meeting Between Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, Blocks Solitary Confinement

Pakistan: Islamabad High Court Orders Meeting Between Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, Blocks Solitary Confinement

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) today ruled to prohibit further isolated confinement of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, and asked prison authorities at Adiala Jail to arrange for them to meet in accordance with jail regulations.

The 73-year-old former cricketer, now a politician and his wife were transferred to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi after being convicted of several charges and are serving sentences in multiple cases of corruption and fraud.

The request was brought before the IHC after Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, voiced her complaints about his solitary confinement. Separately, Bushra Bibi’s daughter, Mubashara Khawar Maneka, petitioned with the IHC concerning her mother’s living conditions.

A verdict was delivered by Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro of the IHC, ordering that the jail staff make allowances for visits to Khan by all designated family members as per prison guidelines. In addition to allowing visitation, the order allows for phone calls from the two former political leaders and their sons.

Authorities of Adiala Jail have also been told to furnish newspapers and books daily to Khan, and that medical provisions be made available in accordanceance with the guidelines set forth by the jail officials.

Thejail superintendent has been commanded to abide by all stated conditions of the High Court order within 15 days, and provide documentation on compliance to the court.

Since August 2023, Khan has been incarcerated after charges of conviction, which he, his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) described as politically charged. His family, including concerned citizens, continue to voice unease over restrictions placed on visitations and access to medical care, all denied by government officials.

Bushra Bibi was placed in jail custody in January 31, 2024, and convicted of a corrupt case, where she was later released from the 9-month sentence on bail in October of 2024.

Her recent re-imprisonment came in January 17, 2025, after her conviction of another corruption related offense. She is awaiting more sentences related to corrupt practices from the local court.

In conjunction with this High Court order, a contentious debate has arisen over Khan’s access to proper medical treatment. On August 27, following concerns expressed about Khan’s health – especially concerning an eye problem he was diagnosed with this year – the Pakistan Supreme Court requested that he be transferred from prison to privately run Shifa International Hospital.

Nevertheless, he was taken to state run Pakistan Institute of Medical Science (PIMS) for a medical process and diagnostic investigations throughout the evening and early morning of August 20-21.

While he has been taken back to Adiala Jail, his family has complained that they failed to transfer to the stated hospital in compliance with the court’s instructions which asked to keep him admitted there until the next Supreme Court hearing on September 16.

The government has said this action was warranted under the circumstances by security related reasons.

A contest regarding these circumstances under Contempt of Court has been ordered for hearing before a three-person Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Shahid Waheed, Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Ishtiaq Ibrahim on September 16; the sitting is expected to cover discussions over both Khan’s condition and family visitation.