Islamabad: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan met his wife Bushra Bibi and sister Noreen Niazi at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, marking his first meeting with them in several months after the Supreme Court directed authorities to allow regular family meetings.
Khan, founder of the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf party, has been imprisoned at Adiala Jail since 2023 and is facing multiple cases. He is currently serving a 14 year sentence in the Al Qadir Trust corruption case.
Noreen Niazi met Khan for around 15 minutes in the jail’s conference room. Their conversation reportedly focused on his health and other matters. She also informed him about the Supreme Court’s direction to move him to Shifa International Hospital for a medical examination and treatment.
The court had directed that Khan be shifted to the private hospital within two days and remain there until September 16, when it is expected to consider petitions concerning his medical treatment.
Other members of Khan’s family, including his sisters Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan and cousin Qasim Zaman, were not permitted to meet him. Political leaders from his party were also kept away.
The meeting with his wife took place separately. Bushra Bibi, who is herself serving a sentence at Adiala Jail, met Khan for approximately 30 to 35 minutes.
Bushra Bibi also met her children, Musa and Mubashara Maneka, and her sister in law Mehrunnisa during a separate family meeting that lasted around 40 minutes.
The Supreme Court has allowed weekly meetings for Khan amid concerns over his health. The court has also cautioned authorities and those involved that using the meetings for political purposes could lead to the relief being withdrawn.
Khan’s imprisonment has remained a major political issue in Pakistan, with his party repeatedly raising concerns about his legal cases, access to family members and medical treatment. The latest court directions have now opened the way for more regular family contact while his legal and health related matters continue to be heard.
