IHC Restores Biweekly Jail Meetings for Imran Khan with Restrictions

The Islamabad High Court has reinstated biweekly jail meetings for ex-PM Imran Khan in Adiala Jail, imposing strict rules against political statements post-visits. While Khan can now meet family and legal team, visitors must adhere to silence. Legal battles continue amid security concerns.

The Islamabad High Court has restored biweekly meetings for former Prime Minister Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, reported The Express Tribune. The court has notably prohibited visitors from making political statements after the meetings. The order, issued on Monday, allows Imran Khan to meet his family and lawyers on Tuesdays and friends on Thursdays, with visits arranged by Khan's coordinator, lawyer Salman Akram Raja.

During the proceedings, concerns arose over gatherings being utilized for political statements. Acting Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar advised visitors to 'meet and leave,' emphasizing the avoidance of media interaction. Visitors are required to sign an undertaking to avoid making public comments after meetings. Jail officials defended previous constraints pointing to security risks, consolidating these interactions to one day initially. However, the court rejected these measures, reaffirming biweekly visits based on a prior ruling.

Meanwhile, Khan's legal team alleged arbitrary denial of scheduled appointments. Lawyer Zaheer Abbas highlighted an unmet appointment on March 20 despite repeated requests, The Express Tribune noted. Justice Dogar directed Khan's attorneys to approach a trial court if they require his children's visitation rights. This decision emerges amidst ongoing legal challenges, post Khan's August 2023 imprisonment for corruption, altering his detention from under-trial to a convicted prisoner.

Jail authorities maintain that limiting meetings is essential for security reasons, while the court reiterated that political discussions are forbidden during or after these encounters with Khan. Assurances were made by Khan's defense team to comply with new judicial guidelines. Consequently, Khan's supporters are permitted biweekly interactions. Violating the media silence could incur additional legal actions, according to The Express Tribune.

The high court's ruling is perceived as a limited reprieve for Khan and his followers. However, imposed communication restraints underscore judiciary efforts to prevent jail sessions from evolving into a political platform, ANI reported.

(With inputs from agencies.)