ISLAMABAD, May 14, 2026 — The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday reserved its verdict on a petition seeking regular family meetings, access to a personal doctor, and the provision of essential items for Bushra Bibi, the wife of former prime minister Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi .
The case, heard by Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, was filed by Bushra Bibi’s daughter, Mubashra Maneka .
Arguments for the Petitioner: Restrictions Despite Medical Condition
During the hearing, lawyer Salman Akram Raja argued that meetings with Bushra Bibi had been severely restricted, despite her ongoing medical condition—including a recent retinal detachment surgery .
“Meetings were arranged on April 17; this was the day her operation was being carried out,” Raja told the court. “This was an emergency meeting which lasted only a few minutes” .
He further noted that the last regular weekly meeting took place on February 24, after which no routine meetings were allowed for seven weeks—only emergency meetings .
Questioning the basis for the restrictions, Raja asked: “What violation of Rule 265 has Bushra Bibi committed?” He argued that the restrictions were unjustified, adding that it was an admitted fact that Bushra Bibi was unwell and had undergone surgery .
The lawyer also took aim at the jail administration’s rationale, stating: “Their entire case is that there are some tweets by Maryam Wattoo due to which meetings are not being allowed. Whenever they feel like it, they stop meetings” .
Referring to material presented in court, he said the Twitter account of Maryam Riaz Wattoo (Bushra Bibi’s sister) was mentioned, but added that the woman “is not even in Pakistan” . Justice Tahir observed that if there is no connection to the tweets, “then there is no need to read her tweets” .
Raja further alleged that the issue had been ongoing for years, and that the defense counsel had been repeatedly coming to the courts for three years. “We are told that it is the order of the ‘king’ that meetings cannot take place,” he added, before clarifying: “I do not know whether this is the wisdom of the jail superintendent or whether they are acting under some order.” He concluded that “whenever they feel like it, they keep her in solitary confinement for two to three months” .
Government’s Stance: No ‘King’, Everything According to Law
Advocate General Islamabad Naveed Hayat Malik presented the government’s stance, arguing that prison authorities have discretionary powers over inmate facilities and that the jail superintendent has the authority to decide which facilities a prisoner can be given .
Malik raised objections to the maintainability of the petition, stating it was “not maintainable” as the petitioner had an alternative forum available—specifically, the Inspector General of Prisons, who could review the jail superintendent’s order .
He further argued that prisoners are required to maintain good behavior, and disciplinary action can be taken in case of violations. “We are bound by the law; there is no king here, everything is being done according to law,” Malik said, adding that no meeting can take place without the permission of the jail superintendent .
Malik also claimed that an affidavit submitted by lawyer Salman Akram Raja was already on record, stating that he would not speak to the media after jail meetings .
Raja denied this, saying no such affidavit had been given. He clarified that his position was limited to not speaking outside the jail gate after meetings. He further told the court that he had been advised to speak elsewhere, adding: “You yourself told me that I could speak in the chamber or elsewhere,” addressing Justice Tahir .
Malik insisted that an undertaking existed on record; however, Justice Tahir responded by noting his familiarity with the order, saying: “I wrote this decision myself, I know it” .
Jail Authorities’ Report: Political Statements Disrupt Discipline
The court had earlier ordered Adiala Jail Superintendent Sajid Baig on May 4 to decide within two days on the application regarding medical access and family visitation, and to appear in person on May 6 .
Baig, in a written report submitted to the IHC on Wednesday, opposed the request. The report stated that family meetings were followed by public political statements and social media activity, which, according to the administration, affected prison discipline and security .
The report specifically referred to social media posts attributed to Bushra Bibi’s sister, Maryam Riaz Wattoo, claiming that tweets were shared after family meetings with the former first lady .
Background: Bushra Bibi’s Health and Imprisonment
Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi remain incarcerated in Adiala Jail. They were sentenced on December 20, 2025, to 17 years in prison in the Toshakhana-II case, which pertains to allegations that the couple unlawfully retained a Bulgari jewellery set gifted by the Saudi crown prince during an official visit .
Bushra Bibi was moved back to Adiala jail on April 17 after undergoing crucial eye surgery in Rawalpindi. According to jail officials, ophthalmologists diagnosed retinal detachment in her right eye—a condition requiring immediate intervention .
She was shifted to a private hospital on the evening of April 30, where she underwent pre-operative tests and subsequently consented to surgery. The procedure was carried out by Professor Dr. Nadeem Qureshi along with a medical panel, after which she was discharged following an overnight stay and returned to custody .
Prior concerns about her condition had mounted after a document dated March 28 surfaced online, indicating that a doctor at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) had examined her and noted a “history of blurring of vision and a black spot in the right eye for the past 11 days” .
What’s Next
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir reserved the verdict on the petition. The court is expected to announce its ruling in the coming days .
If the court rules in favor of the petitioner, it could compel jail authorities to allow regular family meetings, access to Bushra Bibi’s personal physician, and the provision of essential items. A ruling against the petition would uphold the jail superintendent’s discretionary authority to restrict such privileges .
The case continues to draw significant political and public attention, given Imran Khan’s status as the country’s most prominent opposition figure and the ongoing health concerns surrounding his wife .
