ISLAMABAD: PTI lawyer Barrister Salman Safdar has rejected the report submitted by the Adiala Jail superintendent regarding the alleged solitary confinement of former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi.
The arguments were presented on Thursday during a hearing in the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The case concerns claims that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are being held in solitary confinement inside Adiala Jail.
Barrister Salman Safdar told the court that he met Imran Khan as a friend of the court under directions from the Supreme Court. He said the meeting took place in April after the intervention of the Chief Justice.
According to Safdar, he spent around 65 minutes with Imran Khan. He told the court that nearly 60 minutes of their discussion focused on alleged mental torture and solitary confinement.
The PTI lawyer claimed that Imran Khan informed him he was being kept alone for about 22 hours every day. He also alleged that Bushra Bibi was being kept in isolation for 24 hours a day.
Safdar further stated that Imran Khan had access to a television but no channels were available to watch. He also claimed that books were not being provided to the former prime minister during his imprisonment.
The lawyer also raised concerns about family contact. He said meetings between Imran Khan and his sisters were not taking place. He added that Imran Khan had not been allowed to speak with his sons by phone for the past eight months.
Safdar argued that these important details were missing from the report submitted by the Adiala Jail superintendent. He questioned why the court should rely on the report of the same official against whom the allegations had been made.
He said the issue was not related to the size of the prison cell or the available walking space. Instead, he argued that the main concern was the alleged prolonged isolation of his clients.
The lawyer also requested that prison authorities allow Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to spend time together. He suggested they should be allowed to meet and share a meal at least once every week while they remain in custody.
According to Safdar, the jail report does not fully address the concerns raised before the court. He maintained that the contents of the report actually support claims that the PTI founder is being kept in solitary confinement.
Earlier, the Adiala Jail superintendent submitted a report to the Islamabad High Court denying the allegations. The report stated that neither Imran Khan nor Bushra Bibi was being held in solitary confinement.
Jail authorities also informed the court that solitary confinement has largely been abolished in the prison system. They said both prisoners are receiving facilities in accordance with prison rules and regulations.
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The Islamabad High Court is expected to examine the arguments presented by both sides before making any decision on the matter. The case remains under judicial consideration, and further proceedings will determine the next course of action.
