Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyer Barrister Salman Safdar on Monday said Adiala jail authorities facilitated a 40-minute meeting between PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, after repeated requests. In a post on X, the lawyer said the meeting took place at 4:30 pm, adding that he met the former prime minister after seven months and Bushra Bibi after 11 months.
"After repeated applications and requests, I met Khan sahib after seven months and BB after 11 months," Safdar wrote. He said the meeting was insufficient to cover all pending cases and legal matters.
However, both Imran and Bushra briefed him on their health and living conditions and gave him fresh instructions regarding certain cases. Imran has remained behind bars at Adiala jail since August 2023, facing a series of corruption and terrorism-related cases following his ouster from power in April 2022.
He is currently serving prison sentences in the Al-Qadir Trust and Toshakhana (Bulgari jewellery set) cases. His convictions in two other Toshakhana references have been suspended pending appeals.
The PTI founder also faces several cases linked to the May 9, 2023 riots. The party has consistently rejected the allegations, maintaining that the cases are politically motivated.
Political tensions escalated in October when PTI launched a long march towards Islamabad, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. The march began in Lakki Marwat on October 4.
On October 11, President Asif Ali Zardari proclaimed an emergency and imposed governor's rule in the province on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, effectively suspending the PTI-led provincial government. Following the imposition of governor's rule, Afridi and several provincial cabinet members were taken into preventive custody.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry confirmed the detentions, stating that those facing cases would be charged. In September 2026, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed jail authorities to end the isolation of Imran and Bushra and ensure they were provided facilities in accordance with prison rules.
Legal experts suggest that the meeting, while brief, marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle surrounding the PTI leadership. The party continues to demand transparency in the judicial process, citing concerns over the health and safety of their founder.
The current political climate remains volatile as the government and the opposition remain at odds over the governance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The detention of provincial leadership has further complicated the prospects of a negotiated settlement between the stakeholders.
As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on the upcoming hearings in the Supreme Court and the Islamabad High Court. The PTI has vowed to continue its peaceful protest movement despite the challenges faced by its leadership.
The international community and human rights organizations are closely monitoring the situation in Pakistan, emphasizing the need for adherence to democratic norms and the rule of law in all legal proceedings involving political figures.