ISLAMABAD – Three prisoners held at Adiala Jail have moved the Islamabad High Court seeking treatment at private hospitals and permission to contact family members, invoking the Supreme Court’s recent order concerning PTI founder Imran Khan’s medical care and family meetings.
Justice Muhammad Asif presided over the petitions filed by inmates Ilyas Khan, Muhammad Ismail Khan, and Owais Altaf. The court issued notices to the Adiala Jail superintendent and directed jail authorities to submit detailed responses. The hearing was adjourned until August 27.
Hemophilia Patient Cites Repeated Hospital Visits
Counsel for Muhammad Ismail Khan informed the court that his client suffers from hemophilia and has been experiencing internal bleeding. The lawyer stated that the prisoner had been taken to hospital ten times over the past two months, yet his condition had not improved substantially.
The counsel argued that complete treatment for the prisoner’s illness is currently available only at Shifa Hospital in Pakistan. He contended that under a Supreme Court judgment, if a prisoner’s ailment cannot be treated at a government hospital, the inmate may be shifted to a private facility, with expenses borne by the family.
The lawyer requested the court to order the formation of a medical board for the petitioner and to direct his transfer to Shifa Hospital if the required treatment was not available at a government hospital.
Heart Condition and Fever Cited in Second Plea
In a separate petition, lawyer Syed Jafar appeared via video link on behalf of Owais Altaf. He submitted that his client was suffering from fever and a heart condition. Jafar argued that proper medical treatment is a fundamental right of a prisoner and urged the court to order Owais Altaf’s transfer to Shifa Hospital if adequate care could not be provided at a government facility.
Family Contact Sought Through WhatsApp
In another plea, counsel for Muhammad Ismail Khan told the court that his client had been imprisoned in Adiala Jail for the past nine years. The lawyer said the prisoner’s brother resides in Dubai and that the two had not been in contact for years.
The counsel requested the court to direct jail authorities to facilitate a WhatsApp call between Muhammad Ismail Khan and his brother. He argued that the petitioner should be allowed family contact in light of the rights granted in the Supreme Court order concerning Imran Khan.
Petitions Rooted in Supreme Court Precedent
The petitions were filed in the context of the Supreme Court’s order regarding Imran Khan’s treatment at a private hospital and meetings with his family. The prisoners have sought similar relief for their own medical treatment and communication with family members.
The Islamabad High Court issued notices to the Adiala Jail superintendent and sought para-wise comments from jail authorities in all three cases. The court adjourned the hearing until August 27, when detailed responses from the jail administration are expected.
