The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday raised serious questions over the continuation of proceedings in a case related to alleged inflammatory posts from PTI founder Imran Khan’s X (formerly Twitter) account, asking how the matter could move forward when his lawyer was not being allowed to meet him.
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Presiding over the hearing, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir observed that the defence had consistently argued the case could not fairly proceed without a meeting between Imran Khan and his counsel, Salman Akram Raja, who told the court he had been unable to see his client since the start of the proceedings. Justice Tahir remarked that final arguments would be heard on February 24, provided Raja was able to meet the former prime minister before that date.
The judge directed Raja to file a comprehensive response in a related contempt petition challenging restrictions on meetings with Imran Khan, and instructed the Islamabad advocate general and state counsel to submit written replies explaining why an earlier November 4 order allowing such meetings had not been implemented. He noted that the PTI founder was effectively being kept in isolation, and said the case would only advance if the court ensured the lawyer was granted access.
During the hearing, Justice Tahir expressed dissatisfaction with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s response in the main petition, terming it “unsatisfactory” and asking the PTA counsel to review the original writ petition and compare it with their reply. The petition, filed in September by a citizen through Barrister Zafarullah Khan, challenges allegedly provocative material posted from Imran Khan’s verified X account while he is incarcerated, arguing that such activity from the account of a convicted prisoner is unlawful and violates prison regulations.
The petitioner has requested directions to the PTA and investigative authorities to determine who is operating the X account, to remove and block the contested content, and to ensure the jail superintendent prevents the prisoner from accessing or managing social media. Adiala Jail authorities, however, have denied that the account is being run from inside the prison, stating in a written reply that Imran Khan remains under surveillance and has no access to prohibited devices, including mobile phones. The court adjourned further hearing of the case until February 24.
