Imran Khan's Sister Files Court Petition After Being Denied Prison Visits Despite Court Order

Imran Khan's sister has submitted a contempt of court petition to the Islamabad High Court.

Islamabad:

On Friday, Aleema Khan, sister of Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan, filed a contempt of court petition with the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the Adiala Jail superintendent and other officials for preventing her from visiting her brother in detention.

Aleema Khan submitted the petition while accompanied by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and additional Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leadership members.

The petition referenced the IHC's March 24 ruling, which had reinstated twice-weekly visitation rights for the 73-year-old former leader, who has been confined in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail since August 2023. The document requested initiation of contempt proceedings "due to deliberate non-implementation of orders issued by this honorable court, particularly regarding the authorities' failure to permit" her meetings with Khan.

It further stated that despite clear directions allowing visits on Tuesdays and Thursdays, "the respondents failed to comply with or implement these instructions."

According to the petition, Aleema has "remained deeply concerned about the well-being, legal rights and humane treatment of her brother during his ongoing incarceration."

The petition names several officials including Adiala Jail Superintendent Abdul Ghafoor Anjum, Saddar Beroni police station SHO Raja Aizaz Azeem, Federal Interior Secretary Capt (retd) Muhammad Khurram Agha and Punjab Home Department Secretary Noorul Amin.

Both Aleema and Afridi participated in the 16-hour sit-in protest that began Thursday and concluded early Friday after they were denied access to Khan.

Following unsuccessful attempts to meet with the IHC chief justice, Afridi declared that his party would obstruct parliamentary proceedings.

"We received a message from the chief justice stating he cannot meet with us; consequently, we have decided that neither the National Assembly nor the Senate will be permitted to hold a session today," he told Dunya News TV.

Media outlets showed PTI lawmakers chanting protests in the Senate against Khan's continued imprisonment.

Afridi additionally announced plans to gather supporters outside the high court and Adiala Jail next Tuesday.

While rumors circulated about the former prime minister's deteriorating health, authorities dismissed these concerns. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry informed parliament on Thursday that Khan was in good condition and "enjoying facilities like a personal chef that are unavailable to other prisoners."

Afridi, who replaced Ali Amin Ganadapur as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister last month, had stated that securing the former cricketer-turned-politician's release was his primary objective.

Despite considerable efforts, Afridi has been unable to visit the PTI founder in jail.

When attempting to meet Khan on Thursday, Afridi was blocked near the prison on Adiala Road, where he staged a 'dharna' with numerous PTI supporters that lasted approximately 16 hours.

Afridi maintained his determination to meet Khan and obtain information about his health status. "We will not retreat from our protests and sit-ins," he insisted.

He further stated that his party had exhausted "all constitutional and legal options" in attempting to meet the PTI founder, without success.

"I have pursued every constitutional and legal avenue. What options remain for me to meet my leader?" he questioned.