ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Friday directed the authorities of Adiala jail to facilitate a meeting between former prime minister Imran Khan with his sister, Noreen Khan Niazi.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq passed this direction while hearing the petition of Noreen Niazi.

The court’s order comes after Noreen Niazi filed a petition challenging the jail authorities’ decision to restrict her from meeting her brother.

During the hearing, Niazi’s lawyer, Salman Akram Raja, argued that the previous Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) allowed meetings, but following a recent threat alert from the Punjab government the jail authorities suddenly prohibited all visits.

He pointed out that a notification had also been issued by the Chief Commissioner Islamabad, banning meetings of jail inmates.

Chief Justice Farooq questioned why the Chief Commissioner was made a party to the case.

Raja explained that they had also made the jail superintendent a party since they didn’t receive the jail restriction order.

The court instructed the Deputy Attorney General to inquire about the reasons behind the meeting restrictions from the Ministry of Interior.

The court also directed the jail authorities to provide medical facilities to Mr Khan.

Meanwhile, the same court also instructed the Islamabad police to expedite investigations into the disappearance of PTI’s lawyer Intezar Panjuhta.

During the hearing, DIG Police Islamabad informed the court that letters have been written to all intelligence agencies and a special investigation team has been formed. However, the court expressed concerns over the lack of progress.

Chief Justice Farooq remarked, “I hope something will happen by tomorrow.”

He appointed advocate Faisal Chaudhry as the focal person to receive updates on the case.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2024