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IHC Restores Imran Khan’s Twice-Weekly Visitation Rights, Bans Political Statements After Jail Meetings
Islamabad High Court restores PTI founder Imran Khan’s visitation rights twice a week. The court also bars political statements after jail meetings.
ND
by News Desk
2025-03-24
IHC Restores Imran Khan’s Twice-Weekly Visitation Rights, Bans Political Statements After Jail Meetings

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday restored the twice-weekly visitation rights of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, allowing him to meet his family and legal team as per the previously set schedule. The court also emphasized that no political statements should be made after these meetings.

A newly formed three-member larger bench, headed by Acting Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar and including Justices Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Muhammad Azam Khan, heard all 26 petitions related to Imran’s jail conditions and visitation rights. The petitions also included contempt of court applications against Adiala Jail Superintendent Abdul Ghafoor Anjum.

Hearing Highlights

During the hearing, Imran Khan’s counsel, Zaheer Abbas, argued that scheduled meetings on March 20 had not taken place as per standard operating procedures (SOPs). PTI Secretary General Barrister Salman Akram Raja also reiterated that meetings were not being held on Thursdays as per the established protocol.

Justice Dogar dismissed the issue as a minor one, stating that it had already been settled in an intra-court appeal. Meanwhile, Adiala Jail’s legal representative, Advocate Naveed Malik, argued that visitation procedures had changed after Imran Khan’s conviction in January. He claimed that the meetings were now held only once a week due to security threats.

Malik further accused PTI leaders of misusing the meetings for political purposes, stating, “After the meeting, they come outside the jail and make political statements.”

Justice Dogar responded by asking whether the meetings were being combined into a single day instead of being held twice a week. He suggested that PTI leaders provide an undertaking that they would not address the media after the meetings.

Court’s Decision

The IHC ruled in favor of reinstating Imran Khan’s twice-weekly visitation rights but imposed restrictions to prevent political misuse. The court emphasized:

  • The PTI founder’s coordinator will decide who can meet him.
  • No political statements should be made outside Adiala Jail after meetings.
  • Those seeking a meeting between Imran Khan and his children should apply to the trial court.

Senior counsel Salman Akram Raja assured the court that no political discussions would take place following the meetings. Despite jail authorities’ reservations, the court insisted on maintaining the previous visitation schedule.

With this ruling, Imran Khan will be able to meet his legal team and family twice a week, provided the conditions set by the court are met.
Tagged:

PTI

IHC

ImranKhan

PakistanPolitics

AdialaJail
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