Islamabad, March 24, 2025: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday reinstated the twice-a-week meeting schedule for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, allowing visitors to meet him every Tuesday and Thursday as per the original arrangement.
A larger bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, and Justice Muhammad Azam, heard the case regarding Khan’s meetings with his family and party leaders.
During the hearing, the counsel for the Adiala Jail superintendent informed the court that meetings had been conducted as scheduled until December. However, after January, Imran Khan’s status changed from an under-trial prisoner to a convicted one, and security concerns arose. As a result, meetings were restricted to once a week, held every Tuesday under standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Justice Dogar noted that multiple petitions had been filed seeking permission for meetings with Khan. The jail authorities argued that these meetings were being used for political purposes. “What is the need for media talk after meeting in jail?” Justice Dogar questioned, adding that the court would take an undertaking to ensure visitors leave after their meetings without making public statements.
The court ordered the restoration of the biweekly meeting schedule, specifying that only individuals nominated by PTI founder’s coordinator, Salman Akram Raja, would be allowed. It also reiterated that no visitor would be permitted to hold a media talk after meeting Khan.
This decision restores the previous arrangement, balancing legal access to the former prime minister with security considerations.