ISLAMABAD: The Chief Warden of Adiala Jail tendered an unconditional apology to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday for denying access to jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. The court was hearing contempt of court petitions related to the superintendent’s failure to allow meetings of the top Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) officials despite court orders.
The superintendent filed a written response to the contempt motions, but the court expressed dissatisfaction with the explanation presented. The presiding judge, Justice Taman Rifat Imtiaz, noted that the superintendent’s attempt to justify his actions by disobeying the court order had failed.
“Please express satisfaction in this regard to the court in the next hearing,” the court said and directed the inspector general to give a satisfactory explanation. Following the proceedings, the IHC ordered a meeting of the petitioners – Allama Nasir Abbas, Shehryar Afridi, Shandana Gulzar, and Firdous Shamim Naqvi – scheduled for 26.
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On March 12, the Punjab Home Ministry imposed a two-week ban on inmate visits as well as media coverage at Adiala Jail, which houses senior political figures including Imran. The PTI has condemned the two-week ban imposed on all visits, meetings, and talks in the Adiala Jail premises and expressed concern over the threat to the former prime minister’s life.
Authorities at Adiala Jail on March 13 allowed four PTI lawyers to meet Khan in compliance with the Islamabad High Court (IHC) order. Expressing his displeasure, Justice Tahir said the jail warden was giving fresh excuses at every hearing. “If you are not obeying court orders, why shouldn’t we open contempt proceedings against you?” Denied a meeting with Imran due to the ban, PTI leaders hit out at the Punjab government.
