During a hearing on a petition challenging the media ban, a journalist informed the court that despite adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs), they were barred from covering the trial
ISLAMABAD: The coverage of the high-profile £190 million corruption case being heard at a special court set up within Adiala Jail has faced significant restrictions, with the majority of journalists denied access to the proceedings. On Friday, only five journalists were granted entry to cover the hearing, while eight to ten others were blocked from entering the prison. This restriction has sparked protests from both the media and Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who has expressed concerns over the lack of media access on multiple occasions.
For several days, journalists have faced barriers to reporting on the trial, leading to protests against what they describe as the inappropriate behavior of jail authorities. Journalists who have covered the trial for the past year have raised concerns about the arbitrary limitations imposed on their access. In response, they have filed two petitions in court, challenging the restrictions placed on media coverage. Sources reveal that the jail administration began obstructing media access following the discovery of an alleged facilitation network within the prison. Despite repeated inquiries, officials have not clarified the reasons behind the restrictions.
On August 23, the Islamabad High Court ruled that journalists should not be permitted to interview Imran Khan during his trial at the jail. However, the court expressed concerns about the legality of the broader restrictions on media coverage. Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb emphasized that while trial court judges have the authority to regulate courtroom proceedings and manage disruptions, it is not within the remit of the jail administration to impose such restrictions on media coverage.
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