SC to hear pleas on Imran’s access to lawyers, family today

ISLAMABAD: The Sup­reme Court will begin hearing on Thursday a set of petitions concerning acc­ess to PTI founder Imran Khan by his legal team, personal physicians and family members while he remains incarcerated at Adiala jail.

A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Muh­ammad Ali Mazhar, and comprising Justice Mus­arrat Hilali and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan, will take up petitions filed by PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and Dr Uzma Khan, the former prime minister’s sister.

Raja has challenged the Oct 23, 2025 Islamabad High Court (IHC) decision dismissing his contempt petition seeking enforcement of court directions regarding meetings between Imran and his lawyers at Adiala jail.

The bench will also hear Dr Uzma’s appeal against an IHC ruling that declined requests to shift Imran to Shifa International Hospital, allow access to his personal physicians, family members and counsel, and provide medical information to relatives.

Filed through senior counsel Uzair Karamat Bhandari, Dr Uzma’s petition argues that although she was not a party before the IHC, she is directly affected by the judgment and therefore has the legal standing to challenge it. The petition cites SC precedent recognising the right of aggrieved persons to appeal orders adversely affecting them.

The hearing follows an assurance reportedly given by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi to Raja on May 20 that petitions concerning Imran’s access to doctors, family members and lawyers would be fixed soon after Eidul Azha.

According to informed sources, the contempt petition was listed in accordance with the SC’s case-fixation policy.

In his appeal under Article 185 of the Constitution, Raja contends that the IHC relied solely on the oral assurances of the jail superintendent regarding compliance with earlier court directions. Dr Uzma’s petition stat­­es that she is Imran’s closest relative in the country and, as a medical doctor, is deeply concerned about his well-being. She alleges that prison authorities have denied access to his chosen physicians and family members.

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2026