ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday issued notices to jail authorities and relevant officials in response to a petition challenging the withdrawal of essential prison facilities from Imran Khan.

IHC Justice Arbab Mohammad Tahir asked the respondent authorities to submit reply by October 31.

The petition, filed by Mr Khan’s sister Noreen Niazi, highlights the removal of various privileges previously available to her brother, including access to newspaper of his choice, television, exercise equipment, and electricity in his cell.

During the hearing, Niazi’s lawyer, Shoaib Shaheen, argued that these actions violated the PTI founder’s right to basic human dignity and contravened court orders guaranteeing B-class jail privileges.

Shoaib Shaheen emphasised that the denial of these rights not only breaches legal entitlements but also deprived him of fundamental human rights, stressing that “imprisonment restricts freedom but does not mean the denial of basic human rights”.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2024