Key Points:
- Contempt Petitions Filed Against Adiala Jail Authorities:
- PTI leaders and Imran Khan’s sisters (Aleema & Uzma) approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for contempt proceedings.
- Allegations: Jail officials defied court orders by blocking meetings with Imran Khan despite a clear directive allowing twice-weekly visits (Tuesdays & Thursdays).
- Violation of Fundamental Rights:
- The petition argues that denying access to family, lawyers, and party leaders violates Khan’s legal rights and the Jail Manual.
- Aleema Khan emphasized that lawyers’ consultations (critical for ongoing trials) were being obstructed, calling it “judicial sabotage.”
- Defiance of Supreme Court Orders:
- Aleema revealed that even Salman Safdar (a senior lawyer) was denied entry despite the Supreme Court’s direction, calling it an “insult to the judiciary.”
- PTI alleges a pattern of disobedience—court orders are being ignored systematically.
- Omar Ayub’s Allegations of Harassment:
- The Opposition Leader claimed he was illegally detained en route to Adiala Jail, despite being on bail.
- He described a “bizarre” ordeal: stopped at checkpoints, taken 40km away in a van, and later released without charges.
- Invoked Article 7 (Constitution) to accuse state institutions of operating beyond legal bounds.
- Wider Implications:
- PTI frames the issue as not just about Imran Khan but about rule of law and judicial independence.
- The party warns that state institutions are undermining constitutional rights with impunity.
The petitions highlight a growing conflict between the judiciary and executive, with PTI accusing jail authorities of open contempt of court. The repeated obstruction of Imran Khan’s legal and familial access raises concerns over due process and political victimization. Omer Ayub’s claims of illegal detention further fuel allegations of state overreach. If courts fail to enforce their orders, it risks eroding public trust in Pakistan’s legal and democratic framework. The IHC’s response will be a litmus test for judicial authority in the face of executive defiance.
