National Dialogue Committee seeks meetings with Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi

The National Dialogue Committee (NDC) has filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking permission to meet jailed former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi.

The petition was filed by NDC Chairman Mahmood Baqi Molvi along with committee members Imran Ismail, Barrister Muhammad Ali Khan Saif and Fawad Ahmed under Article 199 of the Constitution, Section 561 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978.

The petitioners include former federal ministers and senior PTI leaders. In their petition, they argued that an “illegal and arbitrary” ban has been imposed on meetings with the ex-prime minister and his wife since they were sent behind bars on August 5, 2023.

They contended that the restrictions violate fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 9 and 14 of the Constitution, relating to the right to life, liberty and human dignity.

The petition further stated that the prolonged ban on meetings also contravenes Pakistan's prison regulations and international standards, including the United Nations' Nelson Mandela Rules on the treatment of prisoners.