By The South Asia Times

Islamabad - The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed the Adiala Jail superintendent to immediately implement its earlier order restoring the twice-a-week meeting schedule for former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, according to daily Dawn.

The directive came during a hearing of 11 petitions filed by PTI leaders concerning restrictions on Imran Khan’s jail visits. A larger bench, led by Justice Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and comprising Justices Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Muhammad Azam Khan, took up the consolidated cases.

During the proceedings, the court instructed Adiala Jail Superintendent Abdul Ghafoor Anjum, who was present in court, to ensure that Imran Khan’s meetings are arranged in line with the March 24 order, which allows for two meetings per week, while strictly adhering to jail standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The bench also directed the superintendent to facilitate meetings based on the list submitted by PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, who appeared before the court and presented arguments on behalf of the petitioners.

Justice Dogar observed that the court’s earlier order must be fully implemented and that the right to visitation could not be denied under the guise of administrative hurdles. “The court’s directions are to be followed in letter and spirit,” he remarked.

PTI leaders have repeatedly accused prison authorities of “deliberately sabotaging” meetings between Imran Khan and his family, legal team, and party members, claiming that restrictions were being used as a form of political victimization.

Following the IHC’s latest order, reports emerged that the convoy of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was on its way to Adiala Jail to meet the former premier.

The court reiterated that while all visits must comply with prison regulations and security protocols, Imran Khan’s legal and family meetings should not be obstructed without lawful justification.

The larger bench’s ruling is expected to ease tensions between PTI and jail authorities, as party leaders had recently expressed frustration over repeated denials of access despite multiple court directives.

Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, is currently facing several legal cases, including charges related to the Toshakhana reference and the cipher case.

The Islamabad High Court’s reaffirmation of the visitation rights marks another development in the PTI chief’s ongoing legal battle and comes amid growing pressure from his party to ensure transparency and fair treatment during his imprisonment.