Adiala Jail inmates petition the IHC for Imran Khan’s rights.

Citing the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding PTI founder Imran Khan’s treatment and family meetings, three inmates in Adiala Jail have petitioned the Islamabad High Court for private medical treatment and authorisation to communicate with their relatives.

Prisoners Ilyas Khan, Muhammad Ismail Khan, and Owais Altaf filed petitions, which were considered by Justice Muhammad Asif. The superintendent of Adiala Jail received a notification from the Islamabad High Court requesting a thorough response. The court postponed its next hearing until August 27.

Muhammad Ismail Khan’s attorney informed the court that his client has haemophilia and is experiencing internal bleeding. He claimed that despite the prisoner’s ten medical visits over the previous two months, his condition had not much improved.

The attorney insisted that only Shifa Hospital in Pakistan now offers comprehensive therapy for the prisoner’s illness. According to a Supreme Court ruling, he said that if a prisoner’s condition cannot be treated at a government hospital, the offender may be transferred to a private hospital, with the family covering the cost of treatment.

In the event that a government hospital was unable to provide the necessary care, the attorney asked the court to order the creation of a medical board for the petitioner and to transfer him to Shifa Hospital.

On behalf of Owais Altaf, attorney Syed Jafar made an appearance via video link. He said that his client had a cardiac issue and a fever. He contended that a prisoner’s right to appropriate medical care is fundamental and asked the court to order Owais Altaf’s transfer to Shifa Hospital in the event that a government hospital was unable to provide acceptable care.

Muhammad Ismail Khan’s attorney informed the court in a different plea that his client had spent the previous nine years behind bars in Adiala Jail. He claimed that the prisoner’s brother had not spoken to him in years and that he now resided in Dubai.

In light of the privileges granted in the Supreme Court judgement involving Imran Khan, the attorney argued that the petitioner should also be permitted family contact and asked the court to instruct jail officials to arrange a WhatsApp conversation between Muhammad Ismail Khan and his brother.

The Supreme Court’s ruling pertaining to Imran Khan’s care at a private hospital and his family gatherings prompted the filing of the petitions. Similar relief has been requested by the inmates for their family communication and medical care.

In each of the three cases, the Islamabad High Court sent letters to the superintendent of Adiala Jail and requested opinions from the jail administration. The hearing was postponed by the court until August 27.