IHC reserves order on petitions against Imran, Bushra’s 'solitary confinement'

The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday reserved its decision on whether petitions challenging the alleged solitary confinement of PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi can be heard.

Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro reserved the verdict after listening to arguments from lawyers representing the petitioners and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The petitions were filed by Aleema Khan on behalf of Imran Khan and by Mubashira on behalf of Bushra Bibi.

Barrister Salman Safdar, appearing for the petitioners, argued that both the Lahore High Court and the IHC had earlier relied on the Begum Shamim Afridi case in matters related to solitary confinement. He also rejected the NAB prosecutor’s claim that similar relief had already been sought in the £190 million case.

The lawyer told the court that the earlier application only sought signatures on a power of attorney and did not ask for any order related to solitary confinement.

He said the matter of solitary confinement was only mentioned in the background of that application, while requests for suspension of sentence were pending at the time.