In a significant judicial turn on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the Supreme Court of Pakistan appointed PTI counsel Salman Safdar as an amicus curiae (friend of the court), granting him immediate and unrestricted access to Imran Khan at Adiala Jail.
The two-member bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi, directed Safdar to personally assess the former premier’s living conditions and submit a written report by Wednesday, February 11.
Key Highlights of the SC Order
The court’s decision shifts the focus from purely political grievances to a judicial inquiry into the human rights and custodial standards being applied to the incarcerated leader.
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Direct Access: CJP Afridi explicitly ordered that Safdar should not be made to wait outside the jail. He provided his personal staff’s contact information to ensure no administrative hurdles are placed by the jail authorities.
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Scope of Inquiry: While Safdar raised concerns about a “secretive medical procedure,” the CJP narrowed the immediate mandate to a report on living conditions (ventilation, space, and general treatment).
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Friend of the Court: By naming Safdar an amicus curiae, the court transitioned his role from a partisan representative to a neutral officer of the court for this specific task.
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Rejection of Other Pleas: The court again denied Latif Khosa’s request for an immediate meeting, maintaining that only the appointed amicus would conduct this assessment for the court’s record.
The “Secret” Medical Procedure
The PTI had recently filed a memorandum alleging that Imran Khan was subjected to a rushed eye procedure at PIMS Hospital in late January without his family’s consent.
| Report Source | Key Finding |
| Government (PIMS) | Diagnosed with Right Central Retinal Veon Occlusion (CRVO). Treated with an intravitreal injection; vitals remained stable. |
| PTI (Dr. Aasim Yusuf) | Confirmed the diagnosis but alleged the report is incomplete and lacks a long-term treatment plan by a retinal specialist. |
| UN Rapporteur | Alice Jill Edwards expressed concern in Dec 2025 regarding reports of solitary confinement and restricted sunlight. |
The Adiala Jail “Living Conditions” Context
The Supreme Court recalled an earlier order from August 2023 (when Khan was in Attock Jail). The Attorney General’s report at that time described a “Better Class” cell with the following amenities:
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Diet: Provision of “desi chicken” and mutton as requested.
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Exercise: Limited outdoor access under strict security.
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Surveillance: Constant CCTV monitoring (a point the PTI has repeatedly termed “mental torture”).
What Happens Next?
Salman Safdar’s report, expected tomorrow, will be a critical piece of evidence. If it confirms the PTI’s allegations of “inhumane treatment,” it could trigger a series of directives for the Ministry of Interior.
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