The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday sought a written response from Islamabad’s attorney general in a contempt of court petition filed over authorities’ failure to arrange a meeting between PTI founder Imran Khan and his lawyer, Salman Akram Raja. The direction was issued during the hearing of a writ petition filed by citizen Ghulam Murtaza seeking blocking of Imran Khan’s X (formerly Twitter) account. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, who heard the case, termed the response of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) unsatisfactory. He noted that replies had been received from the prison authorities, the PTA and other respondents, but noted that the PTA’s reply did not correspond to the nature of the writ petition. Addressing the PTA’s counsel, Justice Tahir said the authority should compare its reply with the actual relief sought in the petition. During the hearing, Raja informed the court that he had been unable to consult his client on the case, despite a court order dated November 4 allowing a legal meeting. He stated that he had not been allowed to meet Imran Khan since the filing of the case. The court noted that final arguments in the X account case would be heard on February 24, assuming the meeting was arranged. It also sought a detailed written reply in the contempt petition regarding failure to comply with the court’s order. The government counsel argued that cases related to meetings with prisoners fall under the jurisdiction of a larger bench. However, Justice Tahir observed that the case could not proceed unless the petitioner’s lawyer was allowed to meet his client. The judge directed the government to submit its position in writing and noted that an appropriate order would be passed. The court adjourned further consideration of the case until February 24. PTI founder Imran Khan has been detained in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail since September 2023. The former prime minister has not been allowed to meet his lawyers since November 2025.
IHC links X case with Imran lawyer access
