ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered, On Thursday, the Adiala jail administration to present incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan before the court at 3 PM. This directive came during the hearing of a contempt of court case against the Adiala jail superintendent for preventing Khan’s lawyers from meeting him.
Imran Khan has been detained at Adiala jail for over a year, facing numerous legal challenges. Currently, only one case remains active against him—the New Toshakhana reference, which pertains to the alleged illegal sale of state gifts. Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were arrested shortly after being acquitted in a separate case regarding an un-Islamic nikah.
Ongoing Legal Battles
In May, Khan appeared before the Supreme Court via video link in a case concerning amendments made by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The IHC’s recent order arrives amid the party’s vigorous attempts to secure Khan’s release. The situation has garnered international attention, with over 60 members of the United States House of Representatives writing to President Joe Biden, urging him to prioritize human rights in U.S. policy toward Pakistan and to advocate for Khan’s release.
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Judicial Concerns Raised
During the hearing, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan emphasized that the Adiala jail superintendent must provide valid reasons if Khan is not presented in court. He stated, “The court does not accept the security threats […] the lawyers were not allowed to meet, this is contempt of the court.” Justice Ishaq demanded that the superintendent furnish a report from the Interior Ministry detailing any specific threats that justified barring Khan’s lawyers from visiting him.
Contempt of Court Allegations
The case was brought forth by Advocate Faisal Chaudhry, who noted that Khan’s lawyers have been unable to meet him since October 3. He questioned, “If we go to jail, are there any security threats from us?” In response, the state counsel indicated that the Punjab government had imposed a ban on meetings in the jail due to law and order concerns.
Justice Ishaq challenged this reasoning, asking, “Is there a ban on lawyers meeting him? If the Punjab government has prohibited the meeting of the lawyers, it would have committed contempt of court.” He asserted that whoever issued the notification preventing these meetings had also committed contempt of court.
Court’s Directive for Presentation
Following objections from the additional attorney general regarding the court’s earlier instructions for a virtual meeting between Khan and his lawyer, the IHC shifted its directive. The court ordered the authorities to present the PTI founder in person. Additionally, the court summoned the joint secretary of the Interior Ministry and relevant records, issuing a notice to the attorney general’s office for assistance.
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