In Islamabad, a Special Court, which operates under the Official SecretsAct, has issued an order directing the superintendent of Adiala Jail topermit the PTI chairman to have a phone conversation with his sons. Theproceedings were presided over by Special Court Judge Abul HasnaatZulqarnain, who was considering the PTI chairman’s request to allow him tospeak with his sons over the phone.
During the proceedings, Judge Abul Hasnaat noted that, based on StandardOperating Procedures (SoPs), the accused was not generally allowed toengage in phone conversations. However, he indicated that the court wouldtake into account the jail manual in its deliberations.
The defense counsel, Sheraz Ranjha, argued that, according to the OfficialSecrets Act, the accused should be permitted to communicate with his familyvia phone. He also mentioned that under the Prisoners Rules, the accusedshould have the opportunity to meet his family while in jail. Furthermore,Ranjha pointed out that other accused individuals were allowed to utilizephone communication facilities.
In response to this, the judge requested the defense counsel to provideevidence of permission for an accused person to communicate with familymembers abroad.
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In reply, Ranjha explained that the Jail Manual did not typically allow forsuch communication, but the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) had issued a rulingin favor of this. He submitted the FSC ruling to the court.
Ultimately, Judge Zulqarnain ruled in favor of allowing the PTI chairman totalk to his sons on the phone.