IHC lifts ban on political discussions in jails

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) declared unconstitutional the provision banning political discourse between prisoners and their visitors.

Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan ruled that such restrictions are a violation of the fundamental right to freedom of expression enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan.

The decision came after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders were barred from discussing political matters with inmates in Adela Jail along with founder Imran Khan, requesting the scrapping of Section 265 of the Jail Rules. was done

PTI’s Sher Afzal Marwat approached the IHC, requesting that it scrap Section 265 of the Jail Rules. The court issued a directive rejecting the objections of the Advocate General on the admissibility of the application.

The Punjab government failed to submit the reply despite being asked for it three months ago.

Earlier, Sher Afzal Marwat had challenged the ban on meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan.

The Punjab Home Department had banned meetings with the PTI founder in Adiala Jail in view of security threats.

In his petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Marwat argued that the provincial home department had no authority to ban meetings in jails.

He requested the court to declare the restraining order null and void. He said that if the ban on meetings with the party leader is not lifted, all members of parliament will protest.