Following the PTI founder’s jail meetings, IHC prohibits media discussions.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC), which hears petitions pertaining to jail meetings, has reinstated the PTI founder’s ability to meet with visitors twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The decision was made by the bigger bench, which included Justices Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Muhammad Azam and was presided over by Acting Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar.

Only those designated by Salman Akram Raja, the coordinator of the PTI founder, would be permitted to meet him, the court said. In addition, the court has firmly forbidden any communication with the media after these sessions.

At the court, Zaheer Abbas, the attorney for the PTI founder, contended that jail officials had not enabled the meetings even though requests had been submitted in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs). Even the planned meeting for March 20 was not set up, he emphasized.

Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir noted that SOPs had already been established in the intra-court appeal, permitting twice-weekly sessions. Under the representation of attorney Naveed Malik, the jail administration claimed that they had allowed two sessions on one day rather than allowing separate meetings on various days because of security concerns.

Malik added that following his and Bushra Bibi’s January conviction, the PTI founder’s jail status had altered. He underlined that meeting decisions are made by the Adiala Jail Superintendent, who is empowered under jail regulations. Concerns were also voiced by the authorities regarding the exploitation of meetings for political remarks outside of the institution.

The court retorted that meeting arrangements should not be utilized for political ends and asked why guests felt the need to speak to the media following their sessions. It was urged by Acting Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar that guests be asked to promise not to discuss politics after the meeting.

The trial court shall handle the PTI founder’s interactions with his kids, the court decided. It did reiterate, though, that only those Salman Akram Raja specified would be allowed to visit him in prison.