Post by : Rameen Ariff

Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, on Friday approached the Islamabad High Court with a contempt of court petition after prison authorities allegedly refused to let her meet the former Pakistan prime minister inside Adiala Jail. The petition was filed in Islamabad in the presence of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and other supporters, further intensifying the debate surrounding Imran Khan’s incarceration.

In her petition, Aleema Khan stated that the Islamabad High Court had already restored Imran Khan’s twice-a-week meeting schedule through an order issued on March 24. The court had clearly directed that visits must be allowed every Tuesday and Thursday. However, she claimed that Adiala Jail officials repeatedly ignored these orders and did not allow her to meet Imran Khan, who has been lodged in the Rawalpindi prison since August 2023.

The petition urged the court to begin contempt proceedings against the jail superintendent, Abdul Ghafoor Anjum, along with other officials, including Federal Interior Secretary Captain (retd) Muhammad Khurram Agha, Punjab Home Department Secretary Noorul Amin, and Saddar Beroni police station SHO Raja Aizaz Azeem. Aleema argued that her brother’s legal rights and his need for humane treatment were being violated by authorities who refused to follow the court’s instructions.

Aleema Khan and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi were part of a long sit-in protest that began on Thursday and continued for nearly sixteen hours after they were stopped from entering the prison premises. Despite their efforts, they were not permitted to meet Imran Khan, which led to mounting frustration among his supporters.

Afridi later said that when he attempted to meet the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court, he was informed that no meeting could take place. Speaking to local media, the chief minister warned that if such restrictions continued, legislative functions would be disrupted as a form of protest. Lawmakers were also seen chanting slogans inside the Senate, expressing concern over Imran Khan’s ongoing imprisonment.

Afridi announced that supporters would gather again outside the Islamabad High Court and Adiala Jail next Tuesday to continue pressing for their right to meet the former prime minister. His frustration was evident when he questioned what legal or constitutional path remained for him to see his leader, despite using every available option.

Amid growing concerns and speculation about Imran Khan’s health, authorities dismissed reports of any deterioration. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry informed parliament that the former prime minister was in good condition and even receiving special facilities such as meals from a personal chef—privileges not given to any other prisoner.

Sohail Afridi, who took over as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister last month, had declared that one of his top priorities was to secure access to Imran Khan in jail. But despite multiple attempts, he has not been allowed a meeting. His latest effort on Thursday ended with a peaceful sit-in outside the prison gates, where he vowed not to step back until Imran Khan’s rights were restored.

Afridi reaffirmed that the movement will continue until authorities comply with court orders. He insisted that their actions are rooted in constitutional rights and that they will not abandon their demands

#Global News