Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan’s sister, Noreen Niazi, met him at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Tuesday after an interval of around nine months. The meeting took place following a Supreme Court order directing that Imran Khan be allowed weekly meetings with family members and receive medical treatment.
Noreen Niazi reached Adiala Jail and met Imran Khan for around 15 minutes. During the meeting, she sought information about his health and informed him about the Supreme Court’s recent order regarding his treatment at a hospital.
The two also discussed some legal matters. After the meeting, Noreen confirmed that she had met Imran Khan but did not speak to the media in accordance with an assurance given in court.
Noreen had travelled towards Adiala Jail with her sisters Alima Khan and Dr Uzma Khan. Police stopped all three at the Dahgal checkpoint. Later, only Noreen was allowed to enter the jail premises and meet Imran Khan.
The meeting took place after the Supreme Court’s order concerning regular family visits.
Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, also met him at Adiala Jail. The two spent around 30 to 35 minutes together. Before that, Bushra Bibi had met her daughter Mubashra Sheikh and sister-in-law Mehrunnisa.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered that Imran Khan be allowed to meet his family every week. The court said that meeting family members is a fundamental right of a prisoner and not a favour extended to him.
The court also sought records of meetings between Imran Khan and his sisters during the past three years. It further directed that information related to conversations and phone calls with his sons be provided.
The Supreme Court also ordered that Imran Khan be sent to Shifa International Hospital for medical examination and treatment. The court directed that a medical board be formed to assess his health.
The proposed medical board is to include Imran Khan’s private doctor as well as his sister, Dr Uzma Khan.
An Adiala Jail medical report had raised concerns regarding Imran Khan’s blood pressure and stress. Following these concerns about his health, demands for medical examination and better treatment also increased.
Imran Khan, 73, has been in jail since August 2023. The former prime minister was initially arrested after being sentenced to three years in prison in the Toshakhana case.
Several other cases were subsequently brought against him, including the cipher, Al-Qadir Trust and iddat nikah cases.
He later received relief from the courts in the cipher and iddat nikah cases. His sentence in the Toshakhana case was also suspended. However, he remained in jail as legal proceedings in other cases continued.
Imran Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have repeatedly alleged that the legal cases against him were filed for political purposes after he was removed as prime minister in 2022.
PTI has claimed that the cases are intended to keep Imran Khan away from political activities and the electoral process. The party has repeatedly questioned the legal proceedings against him.
The Pakistan government and investigating agencies have rejected these allegations. They have said that the cases against Imran Khan are part of the legal process and that courts are independently deciding the matters.
Imran Khan’s situation in jail, health and legal cases have remained subjects of political debate in Pakistan. His supporters have repeatedly demanded better medical facilities and the right to meet his family.
The Supreme Court’s latest order sets directions for weekly family meetings and medical treatment. The court’s request for records of meetings and phone contacts over the past three years also concerns the administration of family access to Imran Khan.
Imran Khan is currently being held at Adiala Jail, while his family has been granted a route to regular meetings with him following the court order.
