SC allows PTI lawyer Salman Safdar to meet Imran Khan in jail

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has allowed Barrister Salman Safdar, a lawyer of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, to meet the incarcerated former prime minister at Adiala jail.

A two-member bench resumed hearing on Tuesday on a case seeking access to the PTI founder as Chief Justice Yahya Afridi appointed Safdar as “friend of the court”. PTI counsel Latif Khosa and Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan also appeared before the court.

“It is appropriate that a report be sought on the living conditions of the PTI founder. Barrister [Salman] Safdar should be given access to the barracks of the PTI founder so that he can give a written response,” said the court, while declaring the counsel as “friend of the court”.

The court further directed the lawyer to visit the jail and submit the report on Imran’s living conditions by tomorrow (Wednesday).

In 2023, SC had directed the AGP to submit a report on Imran’s living conditions in jail. He informed the court that the PTI founder was in Attock jail at the time of the order.

The court subsequently appointed Safdar as amicus curiae and instructed him to go to Adiala as a friend of the court. “We have full faith in Salman Safdar,” the chief justice remarked.

The court said the lawyer should be given full access to the PTI founder so he may be able to file a written response and should “not be kept waiting outside Adiala”. The court assured that in case he encounters any obstacles, the CJP’s personal staff will be available.

Safdar asked if the scope of the report was limited to living conditions only, citing concerns regarding Imran’s health and recent medical procedure. The chief justice instructed to submit a report of the living conditions only.

Khosa urged the court that his request to meet Imran be accepted as well. However, the request was again rejected. The court adjourned hearing till February 12.

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja recalled Imran’s incarceration and health came under discussion during his meeting with the chief justice last Friday.

He termed the conversation with the court as “beneficial” and that progress had been made as a result of it. Raja said the lawyers will head to the Adiala jail today to meet Imran.

The former prime minister has been incarcerated since August 5, 2023, currently imprisoned at Rawalpindi’s Central Jail. His incarceration has consistently proved to be a flashpoint with the government as the PTI holds regular protests and scuffles with police and jail staff.

The party has made repeated attempts to secure a meeting and gain access to him amid the government’s prohibition on meeting with the ex-PM until February 8.

Meanwhile, a day earlier, the SC rejected a request seeking an immediate meeting with the PTI founder and observed that no such order could be passed without issuing prior notice to the government.