Imran Khan 'in good health,' lawyer says after meeting PTI founder in Adiala Jail

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Barrister Salman Safdar, appointed by the Supreme Court as a friend of the court, held a lengthy meeting with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder and former prime minister Imran Khan at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, with a detailed report on the jailed leader’s condition and facilities set to be submitted to the top court on Wednesday.

According to officials and court proceedings, the meeting lasted around three hours. After leaving Central Jail Rawalpindi, commonly known as Adiala Jail, Safdar avoided formal media talk and did not share detailed remarks about the discussion.

In a brief exchange with journalists outside the prison, he confirmed that access had been granted in line with court orders and said Imran Khan’s health was fine. He added that it would not be appropriate to comment further before submitting his written report to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court appointed Barrister Salman Safdar as judicial representative during the hearing of appeals filed against the trial in the Toshakhana criminal case. The bench directed that he be allowed to meet Imran Khan and review his living conditions in jail.

A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi ordered that Safdar be given full access to the PTI founder’s barracks and related facilities so he could prepare a comprehensive written report.

The court also separately sought a report from the jail superintendent regarding the condition, treatment and available facilities provided to the former prime minister in custody.

During the hearing, the chief justice stated that Safdar should meet the PTI founder and submit his findings the next day, after which the bench would review the report before proceeding further. The case was adjourned until 12 February.

Safdar said jail authorities provided him full access during the visit. He reiterated that he would not disclose details of the meeting before placing the report on record with the court. Sources said the report will cover Imran Khan’s health status, prison conditions and access to facilities.

The Supreme Court’s direction came shortly after it had declined a separate request seeking an immediate meeting with the jailed leader without prior notice to the government. That request had been moved by PTI senior leader Latif Khosa. The court later issued notice to the government regarding visitation matters.

Imran Khan has been in jail since August 2023 and faces multiple cases ranging from corruption to terrorism-related charges following his removal from office through a no-confidence vote in April 2022.

Weeks earlier, he was shifted from Adiala Jail to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for a brief eye procedure described as lasting around 20 minutes.

Separately, the PTI recently submitted a two-page memorandum to the Supreme Court registrar seeking expanded visitation rights for Khan, including meetings with family members, doctors, lawyers and friends, and raised concerns about his treatment and medical care while in custody.