IHC declares keeping Bushra Bibi in solitary confinement a form of torture

ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court ruled on Monday that detaining Bushra Bibi in solitary confinement constitutes torture.

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb made the statements while hearing the PTI founder’s wife’s request to transfer her from Banigala to Adiala Jail.

Bushra Bibi was represented in court by advocates Usman Riaz Gul and Khalid Yusuf Chaudhry.

Justice Aurangzeb questioned how the Chief Commissioner could identify himself as the provincial government. Keeping someone in solitary confinement is a sort of torture, he said.

The judge was perplexed by the fact that six different applications had been filed in response to a single writ.

The state counsel stated that it was being determined whether any improper steps had been done when establishing a sub-jail. Justice Aurangzeb censured him, saying he had no grounds to contest.

The attorney asked an adjournment to obtain the most recent information about the petitioner’s current status.

The judge asked Bushra Bibi’s counsel if they wanted to transfer her from Banigala to Adiala Jail, and the lawyer said yes.

Justice Aurangzeb instructed the counsel to submit written arguments at the next hearing.

Later, the hearing was deferred for one week.