By Team INVC | INVC NEWS
Published: September 1, 2026 |06 : 59 PM IST
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan | September 1, 2026 —
Imran Khan Solitary Confinement cannot continue under a new Islamabad High Court order that directed Adiala Jail authorities to provide Pakistan’s imprisoned former prime minister and his wife, Bushra Bibi, with all facilities available under prison rules.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro issued the ruling Tuesday while deciding petitions that challenged the couple’s alleged prolonged isolation at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
The court ordered prison officials to facilitate telephone conversations between Khan and his sons, permit family meetings, provide him with newspapers and books every day and ensure access to appropriate medical care.
However, the court added a condition to the telephone facility. Jail authorities may withdraw the calls if recordings of Khan’s conversations with his sons are used for political purposes.
The Adiala Jail superintendent must implement the directions and submit a compliance report within 15 days.
What Did the Islamabad High Court Order?
The Islamabad High Court directed Adiala Jail authorities to:
- Ensure that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are not held in solitary confinement
- Provide them with facilities available under applicable prison rules
- Allow Khan’s family members to meet him
- Arrange telephone calls between Khan and his sons
- Permit meetings between Khan and Bushra Bibi under prison regulations
- Provide Khan with newspapers and books every day
- Ensure that Khan receives medical care allowed under jail rules
- Submit an implementation report within 15 days
The order addresses prison conditions and family access. It does not overturn the convictions against Khan or Bushra Bibi and does not direct their release.
Court Accepts Petitions Challenging Alleged Isolation
Justice Soomro declared the petitions maintainable after examining legal principles established in the Begum Nusrat Bhutto and Begum Shamim Afridi cases.
Khan’s sister, Aleema Khanum, filed the petition concerning the former prime minister. Bushra Bibi’s daughter, Mubashra Khawar Maneka, submitted a separate petition challenging her mother’s alleged isolation.
The judge had reserved his decision on August 6 after hearing arguments from the petitioners, government representatives and Adiala Jail authorities.
The petitions alleged that prison officials had kept Khan and Bushra Bibi isolated for prolonged periods and denied them regular access to relatives, reading material and appropriate medical facilities.
Imran Khan Can Call His Sons—With One Restriction
The court directed prison officials to arrange telephone calls between Khan and his sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, who live outside Pakistan.
However, the ruling allows the prison administration to withdraw that facility if recordings of the conversations are used for political purposes.
The condition attempts to balance Khan’s right to maintain family contact with official concerns that prison communications could become part of political campaigns or public messaging.
The court also ordered officials to permit Khan’s relatives to meet him in accordance with the jail manual.
In a separate proceeding on August 18, Pakistan’s Supreme Court had directed authorities to allow Khan weekly family meetings and telephone calls with his sons. The Supreme Court also ordered a private hospital examination following concerns about his health.
Khan Must Receive Newspapers, Books and Medical Care
The Islamabad High Court ordered Adiala Jail authorities to provide Khan with newspapers and books daily.
It also directed officials to ensure that he receives medical services available under prison rules.
Khan’s relatives and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf have repeatedly alleged that authorities restricted his access to family members and failed to provide adequate medical treatment.
Pakistan’s government and prison officials have rejected those accusations. They maintain that Khan receives medical care and facilities consistent with his security status and prisoner classification.
The latest ruling requires the jail superintendent to document compliance and report back to the court within 15 days.
Adiala Jail Denies Keeping Imran Khan in One Cell
Adiala Jail Superintendent Sajid Baig told the court that authorities did not confine Khan to one cell around the clock.
According to the superintendent, Khan has access to a compound containing seven cells and can move within that area during the day. Officials said they house him separately because his political profile creates additional security concerns.
Government lawyers also argued that Khan receives facilities exceeding those ordinarily available to B-class prisoners.
The court did not order officials to remove all security restrictions. Instead, it directed the administration to prevent solitary confinement and provide family access, reading material and medical care under the jail manual.
Bushra Bibi Was Kept Separately for Security, Officials Say
Prison authorities also denied keeping Bushra Bibi in solitary confinement.
Officials said they accommodated her separately because she is the wife of a former prime minister and requires additional security. A report submitted to the court said she had access to a spacious room, courtyard and separate kitchen and could move within her designated area during the day.
The administration also said female prison staff conducted regular medical examinations and that Bushra Bibi could meet Khan on Tuesdays under prison rules.
Nevertheless, the Islamabad High Court specifically directed the Adiala Jail superintendent to ensure that she is not placed in solitary confinement.
Why Are Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in Prison?
Imran Khan has remained behind bars since August 2023 following convictions in criminal and corruption-related cases.
The former cricket captain served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 until parliament removed him through a no-confidence vote in April 2022.
Khan and PTI have repeatedly described the cases against him as politically motivated and designed to remove him from public life. Pakistani authorities deny that allegation and maintain that courts convicted him through established legal proceedings.
Bushra Bibi first entered prison on January 31, 2024, after a conviction in a corruption-related case. Authorities released her on bail on October 24 after she spent nearly nine months in custody.
She returned to prison on January 17, 2025, following proceedings in another case and has remained at Adiala Jail after receiving additional sentences.
What Changes After the Court Order?
The ruling does not free Khan or Bushra Bibi. It changes the conditions under which the prison administration may hold them.
Adiala Jail officials must now demonstrate that the couple:
- Are not being subjected to solitary confinement
- Can access facilities available under jail rules
- Receive permitted family meetings
- Have access to medical care
- Receive approved reading material
- Can communicate with eligible relatives under specified conditions
The superintendent’s compliance report will allow the Islamabad High Court to assess whether officials have implemented its directions.
For Khan, the immediate changes should include renewed telephone contact with his sons and improved access to relatives, books, newspapers and medical services. For Bushra Bibi, the order requires prison officials to ensure that security arrangements do not become solitary confinement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the court order Imran Khan’s release?
No. The Islamabad High Court addressed his prison conditions and family access. It did not overturn his convictions or order his release.
Can Imran Khan speak to his sons?
Yes. The court directed prison officials to arrange telephone conversations. However, officials may withdraw the facility if recordings are used for political purposes.
What did the court order for Bushra Bibi?
The court directed Adiala Jail authorities not to keep Bushra Bibi in solitary confinement and to provide facilities available under prison rules.
When must Adiala Jail report compliance?
The superintendent must submit an implementation report within 15 days.
