IHC seeks Adiala Jail reply over refusal to accept Imran Khan's power of attorney documents

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Monday directed the superintendent of Adiala Jail to submit a response over allegations that prison authorities refused to accept power of attorney documents requiring signatures from Imran Khan.

Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro heard a petition filed by Imran Khan’s counsel Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry challenging the jail administration’s refusal to process the legal documents.

During the hearing, Justice Soomro inquired about the legal procedure applicable in the matter, to which Chaudhry responded that the process was clearly laid out under jail policies and supported by precedents set by the Lahore High Court.

The lawyer also referred to internationally recognised Nelson Mandela Rules governing prisoners’ rights and access to legal representation.

Chaudhry informed the court that despite multiple visits to Adiala Jail and attempts to send the documents through courier services, prison authorities either refused to accept the papers or later denied having received them.

Following the arguments, the court adjourned proceedings until May 25 and issued a formal notice to the jail superintendent, directing him to submit a reply before the next hearing.

Meanwhile, the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aain Pakistan criticised the alleged denial of legal access to the PTI founder, terming it part of a “systematic effort” to deprive him of his constitutional and legal rights.

In a statement posted on X, the alliance claimed that repeated refusals to accept power of attorney documents and restrictions on legal counsel reflected a broader campaign of political victimisation.

The statement said Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry had visited Adiala Jail on March 27, April 2 and April 3 to obtain Imran Khan’s signatures on the documents, but prison authorities allegedly refused to even receive the papers.

“First the arrests, then false cases, then restrictions on meetings, and now efforts to block even legal documents — this all serves as proof that the chain of political revenge against Imran Khan continues to this day,” the statement added.

The alliance also maintained that despite the restrictions, Imran Khan remained steadfast and asserted that constitutional and legal principles would ultimately prevail.