National Dialogue Committee moves IHC seeking meeting with PTI Founder, Bushra Bibi

ISLAMABAD, Aug 05 (APP): The members of the National Dialogue Committee on Wednesday filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking permission to meet PTI Founder Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi in Adiala Jail.

The petition was filed through Advocate Faisal Fareed, making the federal secretary for interior, Punjab home secretary and superintendent of Adiala Jail respondents.

The petitioners include former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry, former Sindh governor Imran Ismail, Mahmood Maulvi and Barrister Saif.

The petition stated that, as friends and associates of Imran Khan, he applicants were deeply concerned about his health and well-being.

 It also expressed serious reservations over the alleged inappropriate treatment and conduct of jail authorities.

According to the petition, the continued deterioration in the health and welfare of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi was a matter of grave concern, while their family members, friends and close relatives had allegedly been denied meetings for several months.

It contended that the restrictions on meetings had fuelled speculation and rumours on social media, causing public anxiety and concern.

The applicants submitted that they had approached the court in the interest of political stability, constitutional supremacy and national reconciliation.

The petition argued that denying meetings with the former prime minister violated Articles 9 and 14 of the Constitution, Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978, and the United Nations’ Nelson Mandela Rules governing the treatment of prisoners.

It requested the court to direct the superintendent of Adiala Jail to facilitate a meeting between the National Dialogue Committee delegation and Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, and to fix a suitable time to enable the delegation to assess their health, welfare and legal safeguards.