PTI founder Imran, his wife challenge 'solitary confinement' in IHC

Fresh petitions have been filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) challenging the solitary confinement of the PTI founder and his wife, Bushra Bibi, 24NewsHD TV reported on Saturday. 

The petitions were filed by the PTI founder's sister, Aleema Khan, PTI senators, and Bushra Bibi's daughter through Barrister Salman Safdar, citing violations of basic constitutional rights and highlighting concerns over their prolonged isolation and restricted access to family and doctors. 

The Superintendent of Adiala Jail, Punjab IG Prisons, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman, and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) DG were named as respondents.

According to the petitions, the issue came to light during a meeting between the PTI founder and his lawyer on April 8, when it was revealed that both the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi were being kept in solitary confinement.

The petitions further stated that the PTI founder has not been allowed to meet any family member or party leader for the past six months.

They argued that no court judgment or legal order authorizes his placement in solitary confinement, terming the alleged treatment as inhumane and contrary to the law.

The petitions also claimed that the PTI founder informed his lawyer that around 85 percent of the vision in one of his eyes has been affected.

The petitions held that solitary confinement is among the harshest forms of punishment and that it was never included as part of his sentence.

The petitioners have requested the Islamabad High Court to declare the alleged solitary confinement of the PTI founder illegal and to issue appropriate directions to ensure his rights are protected under the law.