Not allowing Imran to meet PTI leaders: IHC summons Adiala jail superintendent on contempt plea

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has summoned the Adiala jail superintendent today (Friday) on a contempt of court petition for not allowing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder chairman Imran Khan to meet the party leaders despite court orders.

IHC Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan heard the contempt petition. The judge addressed the state counsel and commented: “Why this happens so often. We had written that despite our order, if the petition comes, the state will be fined.”

Advocate Faisal Chaudhry appeared on behalf of the petitioner and said that the court had ordered them to meet the PTI founder as per the jail rules, but the meeting of party leaders with Imran in jail was canceled again. “Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub and Asad Qaiser were not allowed to meet the petitioner. We have to come to the court again and again.”

He told the court that the petitioner was no longer a convicted person but an under-trial prisoner.

The court asked the state counsel why this happens so often. The counsel said we would ask the prison authorities whatever the situation is. The superintendent of the jail can better explain why an appointment was not made, he added.

The court directed the state counsel to look into the petition and asked the jail superintendent to appear before the court at 10am today.