Lahore – The Judicial Activism Panel (JAP) and the undersigned legal team have expressed deep concern over the continued denial of confidential legal and family meetings with former Prime Minister Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi and his wife Bushra Bibi at Central Jail Adiala, Rawalpindi. JAP termed the restrictions a clear violation of constitutional guarantees as well as the Islamabad High Court’s order dated 12-09-2024 in Writ Petition No. 2200/2024. The panel warned that the persistent non-compliance raises serious questions about the rule of law, Pakistan’s international human rights commitments, and the credibility of the justice system.
Despite repeated written requests from the lawyers, and despite the fact that such meetings had previously been allowed, authorities have once again barred the legal team from meeting Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to review their facilities, assess welfare conditions, and obtain instructions in pending criminal and constitutional matters. JAP stated that this conduct violates Articles 9, 10, 10A, 14, and 25 of the Constitution, Pakistan Prison Rules 1978 (particularly Rules 61, 64, and 90), the Prisons Act 1894, the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention & Punishment) Act 2022, as well as international instruments including the UDHR, ICCPR, UNCAT, and the UN Nelson Mandela Rules designed to protect prisoners from arbitrary, inhumane, and degrading treatment.
The denial of family meetings, JAP said, has further aggravated the situation and caused severe mental distress. The panel described the restrictions as discriminatory and politically motivated, especially compared to other “superior class” inmates who continue to receive scheduled visits. The absence of any written, reasoned security assessment or legal justification, JAP added, makes the actions appear arbitrary and unlawful, exposing relevant officials to potential contempt of court, criminal liability, and international scrutiny.
JAP Chairman and Supreme Court Advocate Muhammad Azhar Siddique stated: “Access to counsel and family is not a privilege, it is the foundation of a fair trial and humane treatment.”
He urged the federal and provincial governments to immediately comply with Islamabad High Court’s orders and Pakistan’s human rights obligations. JAP announced that, if the violations continue, it will approach all available national and international forums, including contempt proceedings before the Islamabad High Court and representations to UN human rights bodies, to ensure the protection of prisoners’ dignity and fundamental rights at Adiala Jail.
About Judicial Activism Panel (JAP)
The Judicial Activism Panel is a Lahore-based public interest legal platform engaged in constitutional litigation, promotion of the rule of law, and monitoring of human rights compliance. Its core focus includes access to justice, fair trial guarantees, and protection of custodial rights of prisoners across Pakistan.
