IHC disposes of Bushra Bibi family meeting plea

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has disposed of a petition seeking family meetings and access to a personal physician for Bushra Bibi, directing that the matter be reconsidered by the superintendent of Adiala Jail.

The written order was issued by Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir in a petition filed by Mubashra Khowar Maneka, Bushra Bibi’s daughter. According to the judgment, the court referred the matter back to the jail superintendent with instructions to decide the application afresh.

The court further said that if the superintendent rejects the request, the petitioner may approach the inspector general of prisons under the available legal mechanism.

Court observations on facilities and medical care

In its judgment, the IHC noted that the superintendent of Adiala Jail had already stated that daily-use items for Bushra Bibi were being provided. The order also recorded the jail superintendent’s position that her medical treatment was continuing and that she had been shifted to a hospital outside the prison whenever required.

Referring to the issue of medical care, the court said the matter fell within the executive domain and pointed to the remedy available under jail rules in case of any objection.

"The matter of the medical condition of Bushra Bibi, who is in custody, falls within the executive domain. If there is any objection in this regard, a forum exists under the jail rules," the judgment stated.

The court directed that copies of the judgment be sent to the commissioner of Islamabad and the superintendent of Adiala Jail before disposing of the petition.

Notices issued in Imaan Mazari, Hadi Ali Chatha case

Separately, the Islamabad High Court on Wednesday issued notices to the state on miscellaneous applications seeking an early hearing of the sentence suspension pleas of Advocate Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha in the controversial tweets case.

Justice Muhammad Azam Khan heard the applications. During the proceedings, Advocate Faisal Siddiqui, counsel for Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha, asked the court to fix the matter for hearing on Monday.

While issuing notices, Justice Muhammad Azam Khan remarked:

We are issuing notices; we will hear the other party as well.

The court’s order means the state will respond to the applications before the matter proceeds further.

The developments came in two separate matters before the IHC, one concerning Bushra Bibi’s requests related to prison meetings and medical access, and the other involving an early hearing plea in the case of Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha.