SC rejects request for 'immediate meeting' with PTI founder, issues notices to govt

Islamabad (Web Desk): The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday turned down an immediate plea seeking permission to meet incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former premier Imran Khan, making it clear that no such directive could be issued without first hearing the government.

The request was placed before the court by senior PTI leader Latif Khosa.

While addressing Khosa during the proceedings, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi said the court was bound by procedure and could not order a meeting unless prior notice was issued to the state authorities.

Although the court did not allow an instant meeting, it agreed to issue a notice to the government, scheduling the matter for hearing on Tuesday.

The CJP noted that the court would first need to deal with objections related to whether the petition itself was maintainable.

He also reminded the petitioner that similar matters were already being examined by other courts.

Observing the status of the case, the chief justice remarked that it appeared to have lost its effectiveness. He pointed out that the petition was rooted in an order passed on August 24, 2023, and reiterated that no relief could be granted without completing the requirement of issuing notice.

The court, he added, would have to decide whether the petition had become infructuous or was still legally viable.
In recent months, the former ruling party has repeatedly taken to the streets, protesting what it describes as restrictions on access to its incarcerated leader.

Former premier Imran Khan has remained in custody since August 2023 and is facing a range of cases, including allegations of corruption and terrorism, following his removal from office through a no-confidence vote in April 2022.

Last week, the SC stated that a memorandum submitted by PTI leaders on February 6 had once again been forwarded to the relevant executive authorities for action in accordance with the law.

According to an official statement issued by the court’s public relations wing, concerns regarding access to the imprisoned PTI founder and the provision of his medical reports were formally conveyed to the concerned authorities.

The statement further said that a group of PTI-affiliated parliamentarians, among them Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, had assembled outside the SC last month to voice their grievances over the lack of access to their jailed leader.

It added that the registrar of the apex court met the party’s representatives and assured them their concerns would be placed before CJP Yahya Afridi.