The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has requested a response from the federal and Punjab governments on a plea filed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan. In the plea, Imran Khan seeks a transfer from Attock Jail to Adiala Jail.
Earlier this month, an Islamabad trial court declared Imran guilty of corrupt practices related to concealing details of state gifts and sentenced him to three years in prison. Following the verdict, he was arrested by the Punjab police from his residence in Lahore.
Despite the trial court’s order for Imran’s arrest by the Islamabad police chief and his transfer to Adiala Jail, he was taken to Attock Jail instead.
While Imran Khan has been granted B-Class facilities by the Punjab prisons department, his lawyers claim that he is being kept in distressing conditions and denied proper facilities.
In an effort to improve his conditions, Imran Khan filed a plea with the IHC seeking a transfer to a better class in Adiala Jail. He also requested permission for regular visits from his legal team, family members, physician Faisal Sultan, and political aides.
During the hearing, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq expressed regret over the delay in granting permission for Imran’s legal team to meet him. The judge assured that an order would be issued regarding the visitation rights.
The hearing has been adjourned until August 11, with the court seeking responses from the federal and Punjab governments.
Imran Khan’s lawyer also raised concerns over the summoning of his client’s spokesperson on legal affairs by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), as well as the summoning of his lead counsel in the Toshakhana trial. The IHC chief justice promised to look into the matter.
Justice Farooq emphasized the importance of upholding the law and ensuring that no ill-intentions were present in the authorities’ actions. He also cautioned against gatherings that could lead to political tensions.
The IHC will continue to examine the case and issue further rulings based on the responses from the federal and Punjab governments.