Islamabad — September 18, 2025
In a significant development at the Supreme Court on Thursday, senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Latif Khosa delivered a letter from PTI founder Imran Khan to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi. The letter, dated September 16, lays out a series of grievances regarding Khan’s imprisonment, pending legal cases, and the treatment of his wife, Bushra Bibi.
Khosa told reporters outside the court that the CJP listened patiently and assured him the concerns would be addressed within 24 hours. “He has promised to look into the matter and directed that all complaints be properly submitted in writing,” Khosa said.
Imran Khan’s Complaints from Jail
In his handwritten note, Imran Khan described being kept in a 9-by-11-foot cell in what he called “solitary confinement.” He claimed he had been denied basic rights, including access to books, newspapers, and regular communication with his family. Khan also alleged that his requests to speak to his sons over the phone were consistently turned down, while scheduled meetings with family members were often cancelled without explanation.
The PTI founder also highlighted the situation of his wife, Bushra Bibi, who remains incarcerated at Bani Gala. He alleged she had been denied medical care, kept in isolation, and deprived of basic communication facilities. Khan called her treatment “inhuman” and said it violated constitutional guarantees, particularly legal protections available to women under Pakistani law.
Legal Cases & Judicial Concerns
Beyond personal grievances, the former prime minister raised questions over what he called “systematic delays” in hearing key petitions, including those relating to the Toshakhana and Al-Qadir Trust cases. He criticized the Islamabad High Court for failing to fix hearings despite repeated applications.
The letter also touched on broader judicial concerns, including the alleged misuse of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which Khan said was undermining judicial independence and enabling interference in case management. He accused authorities of “bulldozing” trials against PTI leaders while ignoring pleas for fair process.
CJP’s Response
According to Khosa, Chief Justice Yahya Afridi maintained a calm tone throughout the meeting and emphasized that no genuine grievance would go unheard. The top judge reportedly told Khosa that constitutional and legal rights of all citizens — including political prisoners — would be safeguarded.
Background
Earlier this week, Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, attempted to deliver the same letter to the CJP but was stopped by police at the court premises for lack of prior permission. PTI leaders have consistently argued that Imran Khan and his party are being denied a level playing field, both in politics and in courts.
For now, all eyes remain on the Supreme Court to see whether Khan’s complaints — particularly about prison conditions and his wife’s treatment — will translate into immediate judicial action.
