Islamabad, October 24, 2024: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the Adiala jail administration to produce imprisoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan before the court for a meeting with his lawyers.
This directive was issued during a hearing on a contempt of court case against the jail superintendent, who has been accused of preventing Khan’s legal team from accessing him.
Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were arrested shortly after their acquittal in a case regarding an un-Islamic marriage contract.
The former prime minister had previously appeared via video link before the Supreme Court in May concerning amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
The IHC’s order comes as PTI intensifies its efforts to secure Khan’s release. Additionally, more than 60 members of the U.S.
House of Representatives have written to President Joe Biden, urging him to use American influence to advocate for Khan’s freedom and address human rights issues in Pakistan.
During the hearing, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan expressed discontent with the jail administration’s refusal to allow Khan to meet with his lawyers since October 3.
He questioned the legitimacy of the security threats cited by the jail, asserting that they did not justify the denial of access.
State counsel informed the court that the Punjab government had implemented a ban on meetings within the jail due to law and order concerns.
However, the court challenged the validity of such a ban, particularly regarding meetings with legal representatives.
In a reversal of earlier instructions that allowed for a video link meeting, the court mandated Khan’s physical presence.
It also summoned the joint secretary of the Interior Ministry for relevant records and issued a notice to the attorney general’s office for assistance in the matter.