An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi has dismissed a plea by defense lawyers seeking permission to meet Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan in connection with the May 9 attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ), further intensifying controversy over his continued detention and alleged solitary confinement.
The hearing was conducted under ATC Judge Ahmad Ali Shah, where senior advocate Faisal Malik requested the court’s approval for a legal consultation with Imran Khan. The defense argued that access to their client was essential to prepare an effective response in the high-profile case linked to violent protests following Khan’s arrest in May last year.
The prosecution strongly opposed the request. Prosecutor Syed Zaheer Shah contended that Imran Khan is not formally named as an accused in the GHQ attack case and is currently held under the authority of jail officials. He maintained that matters relating to prison (visitation) fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of prison authorities, not the trial court.
Accepting these arguments, the ATC rejected the application, ruling that it lacked the authority to issue directions concerning meetings with detainees. The decision comes amid growing backlash over Imran Khan’s detention conditions, which his party and legal team describe as “unlawful solitary confinement.”
Despite repeated orders from the Islamabad High Court directing authorities to allow meetings with Khan, his family members, lawyers, and even elected representatives, including the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have reportedly been denied access. PTI leaders allege that these court orders have been openly disregarded by a junior police officer of station house officer (SHO) rank, raising serious questions about the enforcement of judicial authority.
Legal experts and opposition figures argue that the refusal to comply with superior court orders reflects a deeper crisis of governance, where constitutional guarantees and the rule of law appear subordinate to administrative discretion. Critics warn that the continued denial of access not only undermines Khan’s legal rights but also sets a troubling precedent for Pakistan’s justice system.
As Pakistan’s most prominent opposition leader remains behind bars, the unfolding legal battle has become a broader test of judicial independence, constitutional supremacy, and civil liberties in the country.
