Islamabad High Court Seeks Report on Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi Solitary Confinement

The Islamabad High Court ordered the superintendent of Adiala Jail and the Inspector General of Prisons to submit detailed reports, prison records and relevant documents on whether former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are being held in solitary confinement. Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro directed the jail authorities to explain the legal basis, circumstances, duration and any disciplinary justification for such confinement, and to describe the facilities provided to the prisoners. The court set a deadline of August 6 for the submissions and will decide the maintainability of the petitions after reviewing the reports. The petitions were filed by Khan’s sister Aleema Khan and Bushra’s daughter Mubashra Khawar Maneka. Khan, detained since August 2023 on multiple corruption and terrorism cases following his ouster in April 2022, has alleged that he is confined for about 22 hours a day and that Bushra is isolated around the clock, violating prison rules. The National Accountability Bureau prosecutor argued the petitioners lack standing, but the court will examine the merits once the evidence is received.