The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday rejected petitions filed by three prisoners seeking private hospital treatment and permission to make telephone calls abroad, similar to facilities granted to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.

Tustice Muhammad Asif announced the reserved decision on the three petitions filed by Adiala Jail prisoners.

The prisoners had requested permission to receive treatment at private hospitals and to contact family members living abroad on WhatsApp.

The petitions were filed by Adiala Jail inmates Ilyas Khan, Muhammad Ismail Khan and Owais Altaf. They had approached the court on August 24 after the Supreme Court issued an order concerning similar facilities for Imran Khan.

During the earlier hearing, Barrister Akhtar Cheena told the court that one of the petitioners was suffering from haemophilia and internal bleeding. He said the prisoner had been taken to hospital 10 times in two months, but his condition had not improved.

The lawyer said treatment for the disease was available in Pakistan only at Shifa International Hospital. Referring to the Supreme Court ruling, he argued that a prisoner could be moved to a private hospital if the required treatment was not available at a government hospital.

He also said the Supreme Court had allowed family members to bear the cost of treatment. The lawyer requested the formation of a medical board in accordance with the ruling.

Counsel for Owais Altaf, Syed Jaffar, appeared through video link and told the court that his client was suffering from fever and a heart condition. He said the required treatment was not available at a government hospital and requested that Altaf be moved to Shifa International Hospital.

The lawyer representing Muhammad Ismail said his client had been in Adiala Jail for nine years. He told the court that Ismail had a brother living in Dubai and had not spoken to him for several years.

The lawyer requested permission for Ismail to contact his brother through a WhatsApp call.

The court had earlier sought a response from the Adiala Jail authorities before reserving its decision. It has now rejected all three petitions.