Three Adiala Jail prisoners have moved the Islamabad High Court seeking permission for treatment at private hospitals and contact with their families. The petitions refer to a Supreme Court order concerning treatment and family meetings involving PTI founder Imran Khan.
Justice Muhammad Asif heard the petitions filed by Ilyas Khan, Muhammad Ismail Khan and Owais Altaf. The Islamabad High Court issued notices to the Adiala Jail superintendent and requested detailed responses from the prison authorities.
The court has adjourned further proceedings until August 27.
Adiala Jail Prisoner Seeks Treatment at Shifa Hospital
During the hearing, counsel for Muhammad Ismail Khan said his client suffers from hemophilia and is experiencing internal bleeding. According to the lawyer, the prisoner has been taken to a hospital 10 times over the last two months, but his health has not improved significantly.
The lawyer argued that the complete treatment required for the disease is currently available only at Shifa Hospital in Pakistan. He maintained that prisoners can be shifted to a private hospital when the necessary treatment is unavailable at a government facility, with medical expenses potentially paid by the prisoner’s family, as clarified in a Supreme Court judgment.
The counsel asked the Islamabad High Court to constitute a medical board to assess Muhammad Ismail Khan’s condition. He also requested an order for his transfer to Shifa Hospital if the required treatment could not be provided at a government hospital.
Owais Altaf Seeks Medical Treatment
Lawyer Syed Jafar appeared through video link for Owais Altaf and informed the court that his client was suffering from fever as well as a heart condition.
The lawyer argued that access to appropriate medical care is a fundamental right of prisoners. He requested that Owais Altaf be transferred to Shifa Hospital if the necessary treatment was not available at a government hospital.
Prisoner Seeks WhatsApp Contact With Brother
In a separate petition, counsel for Muhammad Ismail Khan said his client has been incarcerated in Adiala Jail for nine years.
The lawyer told the court that the prisoner’s brother resides in Dubai and that the two brothers have not remained in contact for several years. He requested that the jail authorities be directed to facilitate a WhatsApp call between them.
The counsel argued that Muhammad Ismail Khan should also be permitted family communication in light of the rights referred to in the Supreme Court order concerning Imran Khan’s treatment and meetings with family members.
Islamabad High Court Seeks Jail Authorities’ Response
The petitions were filed against the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s order concerning Imran Khan’s treatment at a private hospital and meetings with his family.
The Adiala Jail prisoners are seeking similar relief regarding medical care and communication with their relatives. The Islamabad High Court has sought para-wise comments from the Adiala Jail superintendent and other authorities in all three cases.
The court will resume hearing the petitions on August 27.
