IHC demands written response on Imran’s lawyer’s denial at Adiala

ISLAMABAD: Addressing the denial of entry to Imran Khan’s lawyer, Mashal Yusufzai at Adiala Jail, Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered Adiala authorities to submit a written response under contempt of court. 

Conducting the hearing of the case on Thursday, Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan demanded reasoning behind the denial. The advocate general defended that various lawyers visit the jail premises on the account of anti-terrorism court trials so one not being granted access should not be dubbed as an unusual occurrence. 

Justice Sardar, however, maintained that singling out one lawyer was quite dubious and the justification offered was insignificant. The court observed that it had initiated contempt proceedings previously as well along the same lines. It was also conveyed that the personal application of the superintendent jail and Punjab Police officer were also not processed: “Now I am left with no choice but to take an action through contempt of court.”

It was told by the advocate that the court had formed a local commission, but it is not working properly and needs to be replaced: “When the commission was called for assistance, they did not respond.”

Justice Sardar, however, remarked that it appeared that the commission had also received a certain ‘call’: “Now even if the commission appoints a SC judge, it will not be of any use, because even they would not be able to fulfill this ‘responsibility’.

The court has adjourned the hearing till next Friday (January 30, 2025).