Pakistan
Court annuls clause banning political discussions in prison visits
Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan issued the ruling in response to a petition filed by Sher Afzal Marwat
Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court has nullified the clause banning political discussion during prisoners' visits, declaring it unconstitutional.
Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan issued the ruling in response to a petition filed by Sher Afzal Marwat.
The court deemed the ban on political conversations as contradictory to constitutional provisions of freedom of association and expression.
This clause in jail rules was previously cited as the basics for restricting political figures, including former PM Imran Khan, from engaging in political discussion during visit.
The petitioner, Sher Afzal Marwat, requested the nullification of Jail Rules Clause 265, which restricted such conversation, citing it as unconstitutional.