ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) today directed the Adiala jail superintendent to immediately implement its March 24 order reinstating the twice-a-week meeting schedule for former prime minister Imran Khan.
A larger bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and comprising Justices Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Muhammad Azam Khan, heard 11 petitions filed by PTI leaders regarding restrictions on Khan’s jail visitation. The party has long accused prison authorities of obstructing access to their incarcerated leader.
During the hearing, Superintendent Abdul Ghafoor Anjum was ordered to facilitate meetings in line with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and as per the list provided by PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja.
Raja and Anjum exchanged sharp remarks during the proceedings. Raja alleged that the previous court order “was never implemented even once,” while the jail official claimed “regular meetings” had taken place and that no list had been received.
Anjum also complained that visitors violated the court’s instructions by speaking to the media afterward. Raja retorted, “The court said not to speak to the media at the jail gate; it did not say to tape our mouths.”
Among the petitioners was Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who attended the hearing and later attempted to meet Imran Khan at Adiala Jail. PTI later shared videos on X showing Afridi sitting outside the prison, stating that he and others were staging a “symbolic sit-in” after being denied access despite the court’s directive.
