IHC Seeks Jail Authorities’ Response On Pleas Of Three Adiala Prisoners For Private Medical Treatment
Three prisoners of Adiala Jail have approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking permission for treatment at private hospitals and facilities, to communicate with their family members following the Supreme Court’s recent order regarding medical treatment of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) founder at a private hospital.
Justice Muhammad Asif heard petitions filed by prisoners Ilyas Khan, Muhammad Ismail Khan and Owais Altaf. The court issued notices to the Adiala Jail authorities and sought para-wise comments from the Superintendent Jail in all three cases. The next hearing is scheduled for August 27.
During the proceedings:
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Barrister Akhtar Chhina, counsel for one of the petitioners, argued that his client suffers from haemophilia and internal bleeding, and has been hospitalized numerous times without significant improvement. He contended that the required treatment is currently available only at Shifa International Hospital in Pakistan.
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The counsel cited a Supreme Court judgment stating that where treatment for a particular illness is unavailable at a government hospital, a prisoner can be shifted to a private hospital. He also noted that medical expenses could be borne by the prisoner’s family.
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Advocate Syed Jafar, appearing through video link for petitioner Owais Altaf, stated that his client suffers from fever and a heart illness. He argued that access to appropriate medical treatment is a fundamental right of a prisoner and requested that Owais Altaf be shifted to Shifa International Hospital as treatment is allegedly unavailable at a government facility.
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Counsel for the third petitioner requested the court to direct the jail authorities to facilitate a WhatsApp call between Muhammad Ismail and his brother living in Dubai, as they have been out of contact for years.