The legal battle over the detention conditions of former Prime Minister Imran Khan intensified on Monday as his counsel submitted a blistering rebuttal to an official prison report. Barrister Salman Safdar presented a 19-page written argument to the court, denouncing the Adiala Jail superintendent’s submission as factually misleading and incomplete.
Call for Independent Oversight
In the detailed filing, Safdar formally requested the court to appoint an independent mechanism to verify the conditions inside the high-security facility. He proposed the formation of a judicial assistant, a local commission, or an amicus curiae to conduct an on-ground assessment. The legal team specifically asked that any appointed board be mandated to meet directly with Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to ascertain the facts regarding their alleged solitary confinement.
The arguments further urged the court to summon both prisoners to record their statements directly. Should a physical appearance be deemed unfeasible, Safdar suggested that their testimonies could be recorded via a video link. He proposed that a hybrid board—comprising an independent expert, a state representative, and members of the petitioners’ legal team—should physically inspect the jail’s facilities and records to compile an autonomous report on the treatment of isolated prisoners.
Demands for Communication and Medical Transparency
The written submission also highlighted a critical lack of communication access. Safdar argued that Imran Khan should be granted video-link facilities similar to those provided to other prisoners by the Punjab chief minister. Beyond digital access, the petition requested the provision of books and a television for both Khan and Bushra Bibi, framing these as basic amenities necessary for their well-being.
A significant portion of the arguments focused on medical transparency. The legal team demanded the immediate release of Imran Khan’s complete medical records, insisting that the documentation be submitted directly to the court for review. This demand follows what the defense describes as a failure by prison authorities to address serious health concerns.
Allegations of Restricted Movement and Obstructed Access
Barrister Safdar categorically rejected the jail administration’s characterization of the couple’s movement as unrestricted. The written arguments assert that both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are effectively confined to their designated areas and are not permitted to move freely within the prison. The defense described the superintendent’s initial report, which spanned merely one and a half pages, as a grossly inadequate response that ignored the core issues raised before the court.
With the former premier facing over 300 legal cases, the defense stressed the urgent need for unimpeded legal consultations. The filing requested clear directives to the jail superintendent to allow lawyers to meet their clients without obstruction, strictly in accordance with existing jail rules. Furthermore, the petition sought the enforcement of regular weekly family meetings, demanding that such interactions be facilitated without unnecessary restrictions or bureaucratic hurdles. Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro had previously directed the submission of these comprehensive written arguments.
