Islamabad, 12 February 2026 — Barrister Salman Safdar has submitted a detailed report to the Supreme Court of Pakistan regarding the living conditions of former Prime Minister Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi. The report was filed in compliance with the Court’s order dated 10.02.2026 in Criminal Petitions No. 921/2023, 922/2023 and 938/2023.
The Supreme Court, during proceedings before a bench headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan, had appointed Barrister Salman Safdar as Amicus Curiae to independently inspect and report on Mr. Khan’s prison conditions.
According to the report, the Amicus Curiae visited Adiala Jail on 10 February 2026, met Imran Khan for approximately two hours, and conducted a physical inspection of the designated cell-block where he has been confined since October 2023. The report notes that Mr. Khan has been held in solitary confinement for approximately two years and four months.
Serious Health Concerns Raised
A significant portion of the report highlights concerns regarding Mr. Khan’s deteriorating eye condition. The former prime minister reportedly complained of rapid vision loss over the past three to four months. According to the report, he suffered a sudden and substantial loss of vision in his right eye and was later diagnosed with Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) following examination by a PIMS ophthalmologist.
The Amicus observed that Mr. Khan appeared visibly distressed during the meeting and emphasized the absence of timely specialized medical intervention. The report recommends that he be examined without delay by a team of expert ophthalmologists and that his personal physicians be granted access. It further notes that regular blood tests had not been conducted and that dental care had not been provided despite repeated requests.
Access to Counsel and Family
The report raises concerns over restricted access to legal counsel. Mr. Khan informed the Amicus that for the past five months he has not been allowed to meet his lead counsel or legal team, affecting his ability to prepare for multiple ongoing cases at various stages.
Regarding family access, the report states that blood relatives, including his sisters, have not been permitted to meet him. He is currently allowed to meet his wife once a week for approximately 30 minutes. Telephone contact with his sons in the United Kingdom was reportedly allowed only twice during 2025 despite court orders and repeated applications.
The Amicus has recommended that the Court consider directing authorities to permit meetings with blood relatives and reasonable communication with his sons, subject to security protocols.
Living Conditions and Facilities
The inspection found that Mr. Khan is confined in a dedicated high-security compound with 12-foot boundary walls topped with barbed wire. The compound includes a small lawn area for walking and exercise. Inside his 8×10 foot cell, basic furnishings were observed, including a bed, tables, chair, fan, heater, and lighting. Approximately 100 books were present, along with personal belongings.
While the report notes that Mr. Khan expressed satisfaction regarding his safety and general amenities, certain concerns were identified. These include the absence of a refrigerator (with only a cool box provided), issues of insect control during summer months, limited ventilation in the toilet area, and some room for improvement in kitchen and sanitation conditions.
The Amicus recommended mosquito and insect control measures, provision of a refrigerator for food storage, uninterrupted access to requested books, and improvements in sanitation where required.
Conclusion
In his concluding remarks, Barrister Salman Safdar submitted that while the petitioner acknowledged the constraints of incarceration and stated that his needs were limited to basic necessities, several urgent issues — particularly concerning medical care and access to counsel and family — require immediate judicial consideration.
The report has been formally placed before the Supreme Court for further orders.