Three inmates of Adiala Jail have approached the Federal Constitutional Court, seeking medical facilities similar to those provided to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.
The prisoners have challenged an Islamabad High Court (IHC) decision and asked the Federal Constitutional Court to direct authorities to provide them with the same medical treatment and facilities available to Imran Khan. Express News reported the development on September 8.
In their petitions, the inmates argued that Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees equality before the law and requires citizens to receive equal treatment. They also maintained that the Supreme Court’s directions concerning Imran Khan should apply to them.
The petitioners referred to the Supreme Court’s August 18 order directing authorities to transfer Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical assessment and treatment. They have requested similar access to treatment at the private hospital.
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The prisoners have also sought permission to communicate with relatives living abroad through WhatsApp, arguing that they should receive facilities similar to those sought in Imran Khan’s case.
The petitions were filed by Owais Altaf, Ilyas Khan and Muhammad Ismail, who had earlier approached the IHC seeking treatment at private hospitals and permission to communicate with relatives abroad.
The IHC had ruled that treatment at a private hospital could be permitted if recommended by a medical board. It also held that communication facilities would remain subject to prison regulations and security requirements.
The prisoners had argued before the IHC that inmates remained citizens and were entitled to equal treatment under the Constitution. The court reserved its decision after hearing arguments from their lawyers and government representatives.
The Supreme Court had ordered on August 18 that Imran Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for medical assessment and treatment until September 16. It also directed authorities to establish a medical board for his care.
The Federal Constitutional Court has now separately registered the three appeals against the IHC decision. The appeals have been numbered 2050/2026, 2051/2026 and 2052/2026.
