The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will hear on November 5 a petition by National Dialogue Committee members seeking court directions for an Imran Khan jail meeting at Central Jail Adiala, along with his wife, Bushra Bibi. The court fixed the date after scheduling the matter earlier this week, and Justice Umair Majid Malik is to hear the plea together with objections raised by the registrar’s office.
Who filed the petition and what they seek
The petition was brought by National Dialogue Committee figures named across court filings as Mahmood Baqi Moulvi (also listed as Mahmood Maulvi), Imran Ismail, Barrister Muhammad Ali Khan Saif and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry. One account says senior lawyer Faisal Fareed Chaudhry filed it on their behalf. The petitioners, described as former federal ministers and senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, ask the court to order the Adiala Jail superintendent to arrange a National Dialogue Committee meeting with the imprisoned couple at a fixed time so their health, welfare and legal safeguards can be assessed.
Named respondents include the Federation of Pakistan through the Ministry of Interior (or the interior secretary), the Punjab Home Department (or the provincial home secretary) and the superintendent of Adiala Jail. The plea was filed under Article 199 of the Constitution, read with Section 561 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978.
What the petitioners say about jail visits
The petitioners contend that jail authorities have imposed what they call an “illegal and arbitrary ban” on meetings with the couple since their incarceration on August 5, 2023. One version of the plea says meetings with Imran have been barred for almost a year; other summaries say family members, friends and close relatives have not been allowed to meet him for several months. They argue that the denial of visitation rights breaches fundamental constitutional guarantees and prison regulations, and that respondent authorities have compromised rights under Articles 9 (right to life and liberty) and 14 (inviolability of dignity).
They also cite the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules. Under the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978, they point to provisions that, they say, entitle every convicted prisoner to an interview with friends or relatives once a fortnight, and to Rule 92, which they quote as requiring a reasonable opportunity for interviews with relatives, friends and legal advisers for preparing an appeal. The petition states that an application for an interview was filed with the jail superintendent but drew no positive response.
Health concerns and what they ask the court to do
As friends of the PTI founder, the petitioners say they are deeply concerned about his health and well-being and about the reported condition of Bushra Bibi. They also raise reservations over alleged inappropriate behaviour and mistreatment by jail authorities. The plea notes that the family has not been granted access to their imprisoned brother and his wife, and that worry about health and security in custody is therefore natural. Restrictions on meetings, they add, have fuelled rumours and speculation on social media and added to public anxiety.
They maintain the Imran Khan jail meeting request is made in good faith, for peace, constitutionalism, democratic stability, political stability, constitutional supremacy and national reconciliation, and not for political or personal gain. The next step before the court is the November 5 hearing, when Justice Malik is expected to consider both the petition and the registrar’s objections.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- August 5, 2023: According to the petition, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi have been incarcerated since this date.
- Thereafter: Petitioners say jail meetings were restricted or banned for almost a year / several months, including for family and friends.
- Before the IHC filing: An application for an interview was submitted to the Adiala Jail superintendent; petitioners say there was no positive response.
- November 2, 2026 (Monday): The IHC scheduled the National Dialogue Committee petition for hearing on November 5.
- November 5, 2026 (Thursday): Justice Umair Majid Malik is to hear the plea along with registrar’s office objections.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Islamabad High Court 5 November ko Imran Khan se jail mein mulakat ki darkhwast sunegi. National Dialogue Committee ke log Adiala Jail mein un se aur Bushra Bibi se milna chahte hain. Un ka kehna hai ke mahino se mulaqaten rok di gayi hain. Ab court decide karegi ke jail administration ko mulakat ki ijazat deni chahiye ya nahi.
