The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued a warning to Adiala Jail authorities on Wednesday, stating that it would relocate the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) trial of Imran Khan to another venue if his lawyers continued to be denied access.
Justice Ejaz Ishaq Khan made this statement after Imran Khan’s legal team, led by Chaudhry Faisal Hussain, reported that they were prevented from attending two hearings on August 29 and September 2.
The judge warned, “If Adiala Jail authorities do not permit the lawyers to represent their client, this Court will relocate the trial from the jail to another location under the direct oversight of this court.”
The IHC also summoned the superintendent and deputy superintendent of Adiala Jail, instructing them to appear at the next hearing to justify their actions.
The court added, “If they fail to appear, this Court will assume the allegations in the petition are accurate.”
Imran Khan’s legal team argued that denying them access infringed on his fundamental right to legal representation, irrespective of the trial being held in jail.
The IHC shared these concerns, highlighting the seriousness of the matter and its impact on the right to justice.
The court also ordered that any evidence recorded during the trial without the presence of Imran Khan’s legal team would be considered insignificant.
The hearing is adjourned until September 9.
