The superintendent of Adiala jail informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan is not confined in solitary conditions, dismissing allegations raised in a petition filed by his sister, Aleema Khan.
On Wednesday, the jail superintendent submitted a comprehensive report to the IHC stating that Khan has access to natural light, fresh air, daily exercise, and freedom of movement within the prison premises.
This report was presented in response to Aleema Khan’s petition, which claimed that Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were subjected to solitary confinement and denied visits from family members and lawyers.
The report emphasized that Khan’s living quarters comply with prison regulations, ensuring his privacy while providing adequate exposure to daylight and ventilation. It further noted that Khan is allowed to exercise from sunrise to sunset and can move freely once his cell is unlocked in the morning until it is secured at night, enabling him to engage in activities of his preference throughout the day.
Security measures at Khan’s detention site are robust, with continuous surveillance and sufficient prison staff assigned. The superintendent and other officials conduct regular inspections of these arrangements.
In line with prison rules, Khan is permitted to meet his incarcerated wife every Tuesday and regularly receives newspapers and books of his choosing.
Notably, the report referenced an inspection of Khan’s cell conducted on February 10 by lawyer Salman Safdar, who served as amicus curiae (friend of the court). Safdar thoroughly reviewed Khan’s conditions and submitted his findings to the Supreme Court.
The superintendent concluded that Khan’s detention conditions are satisfactory and contain no indication of solitary confinement.
He urged the court to reject Aleema Khan’s petition, labeling it speculative and unfounded.
Earlier, the IHC had requested a detailed report from jail authorities after observing that allegations of unlawful solitary confinement could not be dismissed without examining the official account.
The court sought clarification on whether Khan and Bushra Bibi were held in isolation, the legal basis for such confinement, and its duration before determining the petitions’ validity.
Aleema Khan’s petition asserts that Imran Khan was isolated for up to 22 hours daily over several months without any court order authorizing solitary confinement. It also claimed that family members and PTI leaders were repeatedly denied meetings with Khan, violating prior court rulings.
The case is scheduled to be heard by IHC Judge Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro on Thursday.
The petitions were filed by Aleema Khan on behalf of Imran Khan and by Mubashra Maneka, Bushra Bibi’s daughter, representing her mother.
The court had issued a notice to the Adiala jail superintendent and demanded a detailed report.
Imran Khan, 74, has been in custody since August 5, 2023, following his initial conviction in the Toshakhana case. Although some convictions have been suspended or overturned, he remains imprisoned due to his conviction in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust corruption case, which both he and the PTI claim is politically motivated. The government denies these allegations, asserting that legal proceedings are not being used to sideline a key political opponent.
