ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday directed the administration of Adiala jail to provide facilities to former prime minister Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi as per their entitlement.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq issued the detailed order on a petition seeking facilities and ensuring their fundamental rights. The petition was filed by Bushra Bibi before her conviction in the Toshakhana and Iddat cases.

Justice Farooq disposed of the petition with the direction to the government to take all measures required for the protection of the former prime minister and his spouse’s life and health.

The chief justice also issued guidelines to safeguard their fundamental rights. He noted that the relief being sought was not specific to Mr Khan, adding being an inmate his spouse is also entitled to the available facilities in the prison.

He observed that a prisoner was entitled to certain rights and their detention did not mean inhuman treatment as the basic objective of sentencing a convict was their physical and mental transformation.

He added that the IHC in the case of Khalid Hussain versus the Ministry of Human Rights had laid down a guideline and the federal government was under obligation to implement the guideline in all prisons.

The court order however said the federal government prima facie did not take necessary steps for implementation of the guideline.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2024