Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court has adjourned until February 24 the hearing of a petition seeking the closure of the X (formerly Twitter) account of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, after responses were submitted by jail authorities, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and other respondents.

The case will be heard by Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir. During the proceedings, the court termed the PTA's submitted reply unsatisfactory, observing, 'You should review what the writ petition is and what your response is.'

At a previous hearing, the learned judge had remarked that the case could proceed only if a meeting between the PTI founder and his counsel was facilitated, and that appropriate orders would be issued in this regard.

During the hearing, PTI's counsel Salman Akram Raja informed the court that he had been unable to meet his client for consultation. The court stated that if the meeting takes place, final arguments would be heard on February 24.

The court also directed that a detailed response be submitted in the contempt of court application filed over the failure to arrange the meeting, and sought a written reply from the Advocate General Islamabad's office.

The government counsel informed the court that cases related to meetings are currently being heard by a larger bench, and that until a meeting is arranged, the matter cannot move forward.

Salman Akram Raja told the court that since the filing of the case, permission to meet the PTI founder has not been granted, despite a court order issued on November 4, which has yet to be implemented. He requested the court to issue clear directions to ensure a jail meeting.

Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir reiterated that the case would progress once the meeting is facilitated, after which the court adjourned further hearing of the case until February 24.