Aleema Khan Seeks Court Intervention Over Jail Meeting Denial

On Friday, Aleema Khan, sister of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, escalated the jail visitation dispute by submitting a contempt of court petition to the Islamabad High Court. This action follows claims that prison authorities at Adiala Jail barred her from meeting her brother, who has been incarcerated since August 2023.

Her petition highlighted a prior court ruling from March 24, which mandated that Imran Khan be allowed visitation twice a week, specifically on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Aleema asserts that officials at Adiala Jail have consistently disregarded these judicial directives.

The legal filing aims to initiate contempt proceedings against Abdul Ghafoor Anjum, the jail superintendent, along with other officials involved. She contends that his rights and need for humane treatment are being compromised by their non-compliance with the court's orders.

During their protest, which lasted nearly sixteen hours, Aleema and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi were denied entry into the prison. This incident further stirred frustrations among the supporters of Imran Khan.

Afridi revealed that he attempted to meet with the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court, only to find that such a meeting was not permitted. He voiced that if these restrictions persist, legislative processes would face disruption as a form of protest, with lawmakers vocalizing their concerns within the Senate regarding Khan’s imprisonment.

In response to the situation, Afridi announced plans for supporters to gather outside the courts and jail again on Tuesday, reaffirming their demand to meet Imran Khan amidst rising concerns about his health, despite government assurances of his well-being, including reported privileges like meals from a personal chef.

The newly appointed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister declared his commitment to ensuring access to Imran Khan, having faced numerous setbacks in meeting with him. His latest efforts were part of a peaceful sit-in, during which he pledged to act until Imran Khan's rights are restored.

Afridi insisted that they will persist in their demands, grounded in constitutional rights, until the authorities adhere to court instructions.