ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Monday directed the superintendent of Adiala Jail to submit a response over allegations that prison authorities refused to accept power of attorney documents signed by former prime minister and Imran Khan.
The order was issued during a hearing conducted by Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro on a petition filed by Imran Khan’s lawyer, Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry.
During the proceedings, Justice Soomro questioned the legal procedure surrounding the matter and sought clarification regarding prison rules and the process for obtaining signatures on legal documents from incarcerated individuals.
Responding to the court’s queries, Chaudhry stated that there was an established legal mechanism in place and referred to existing jail policies as well as precedents previously set by the Lahore High Court.
The lawyer also cited international standards relating to prisoners’ rights, including the Nelson Mandela Rules, arguing that access to legal counsel and legal documentation is protected under both domestic and international law.
According to Chaudhry, he had visited Adiala Jail multiple times in an effort to obtain Imran Khan’s signatures on power of attorney documents but was allegedly prevented from completing the process by prison authorities.
He further informed the court that after physical access attempts failed, the documents were also sent through courier services. However, jail officials later reportedly claimed they had never received the documents.
The Islamabad High Court subsequently adjourned the hearing until May 25 and issued a formal notice to the Adiala jail superintendent, directing prison authorities to submit a detailed response before the next hearing.
Meanwhile, the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aain Pakistan criticised the alleged actions of jail authorities, describing them as part of what it called a “systematic effort” to deprive Imran Khan of his legal and constitutional rights.
In a statement shared on X, the alliance claimed that repeated refusals to accept legal documents and restrictions on meetings with legal counsel reflected a broader campaign of political victimisation.
The statement alleged that Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry visited Adiala Jail on March 27, April 2, and April 3 to secure signatures on the legal documents, but authorities allegedly refused to even receive the paperwork.
The opposition alliance further maintained that the former prime minister continued to face political pressure through arrests, legal cases, restrictions on meetings, and limitations involving legal representation.
“First the arrests, then false cases, then restrictions on meetings, and now efforts to block even legal documents — this all serves as proof that the chain of political revenge against Imran Khan continues to this day,” the statement said.
The alliance also reiterated support for Imran Khan, stating that constitutional and legal rights would ultimately prevail.
The case comes amid continuing political tensions in Pakistan and ongoing legal proceedings involving the jailed PTI founder, who remains incarcerated at Adiala Jail in multiple cases.
