SC seeks replies from Adiala superintendent, Punjab govt over denial of access to Imran

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday directed the Adiala jail superintendent, Punjab home secretary, and the advocate generals of Islamabad and Punjab to submit comments in a case against alleged denial of access to incarcerated Imran Khan.

The case was heard by a three-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Musarrat Hilali, and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan.

The petition was filed by PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, who challenged the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) October 23, 2025 decision that dismissed his contempt plea related to enforcement of court orders on visitation rights for Imran Khan’s legal team at Adiala jail.

During proceedings, the bench was informed that it would not be available next week. However, it directed that the appeal be fixed for hearing within three weeks.

The court also ordered that the IHC’s October 23 order be placed on record for review during the next hearing.

In his appeal filed under Article 185(3) of the Constitution, Raja argued that the IHC had dismissed the contempt petition based only on the oral statement of the jail superintendent regarding compliance with earlier court orders.

He maintained that the high court did not verify records or examine whether standard operating procedures for meetings with the former prime minister were properly followed. The petition stated that this amounted to a “miscarriage of justice” and a failure to exercise constitutional jurisdiction.