ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday raised serious concerns over how proceedings in the case related to PTI founder Imran Khan’s X (formerly Twitter) account could continue if authorities were denying his legal counsel access to him.
The observations were made by Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir during the hearing of a petition filed against the incarcerated former prime minister over alleged “inflammatory posts” shared from an X account operating in his name.
During the proceedings, PTI leader and senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja, representing Imran Khan, informed the court that he had been unable to meet his client for consultation since the case was initiated. He argued that without access to the former premier, he could not effectively prepare or present a defence.
Justice Tahir noted that responses had been received from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and jail authorities, but questioned the viability of continuing the case under the circumstances. Addressing Raja, the judge said that final arguments would be heard on February 24, provided that the counsel was allowed to meet Imran Khan beforehand.
The court directed Raja to submit a detailed response in connection with a contempt petition filed over the denial of meetings with the PTI founder. The Advocate General Islamabad was also instructed to submit a written reply on the matter. Meanwhile, the state counsel informed the court that a larger bench was hearing petitions related to meetings with the incarcerated leader.
Justice Tahir observed that the defence had clearly stated that proceedings could not move forward unless the meeting was facilitated. “The case will only move forward if we allow him a meeting,” the judge remarked, directing the state counsel to submit a written response.
Raja further reminded the court that the IHC had issued a clear order on November 4, 2025, directing Adiala jail authorities to allow meetings between him and Imran Khan, an order that, according to him, had remained unimplemented for nearly two months. He also claimed that the PTI founder was being kept in solitary confinement.
You May Also Like: Opposition to Hold Protest at Gul Plaza Over Alleged Government ‘Negligence’
During the hearing, Justice Tahir also expressed dissatisfaction with the PTA’s response, calling it “unsatisfactory” and urging the authority to address the actual questions raised in the writ petition.
The hearing was adjourned till February 24.
“The case will only move forward if we allow him (Raja) a meeting,” the judge said to the state counsel. https://t.co/Rpnzpo9ZrJ
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) January 21, 2026
The case stems from a petition filed in September by a citizen, Ghulam Murtaza Khan, challenging the alleged operation of Imran Khan’s X account during his imprisonment. The petition seeks an investigation into who is managing the account, blocking of alleged inflammatory content, and enforcement of jail rules prohibiting prisoners from using social media.
Adiala jail authorities have previously denied that the account is being operated from within the prison, stating that Imran Khan has no access to mobile phones or prohibited devices.
Check out our latest video:
