In a significant development, Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), currently held in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, has submitted a written request to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, seeking permission to personally appear for the upcoming Supreme Court hearing on the NAB amendments case.
The application, personally signed by Khan and delivered through the jail administration, reflects his determination to directly present his case before the court.
The Supreme Court has slated the hearing for the NAB amendment case on May 30.
Earlier, on May 16, the hearing on the intra-court appeal against the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) amendments had been postponed indefinitely.
Imran Khan, a key party in the case, appeared from Adiala Jail via video link during a five-member larger bench session, chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa. Unlike previous high-profile cases, Thursday’s hearing was not broadcasted live on TV and social media platforms.
During the hearing, Justice Athar Minallah inquired about the approval of the application for hearing in the high court, to which Makhdoom Ali Khan responded affirmatively. The court then requested the high court’s order regarding the NAB amendments case hearing.
Advocate Khan informed the court that a total of 53 hearings had been conducted in the main case.
Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa questioned the concurrent proceedings in both the apex court and the high court. He asked if this aspect was addressed in the judgment of the main case, to which Makhdoom Ali Khan confirmed and proceeded to read out relevant paragraphs from the Supreme Court decision.
“Why did the main case take so long?” the CJP asked.
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel inquired about the timeline for the creation of the entire NAB ordinance. The attorney general informed the court that former President Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf assumed power on October 12 and introduced the NAB Ordinance in December. He noted that Musharraf drafted the entire ordinance in less than two months.
Advocate Khan highlighted that initially, a nine-member bench of the Supreme Court was formed to address the issue of general elections. However, later, two of the judges recused themselves, stating that the case was not maintainable.
“The judge will remain a part of the bench even if they express their opinion in this case,” remarked the Chief Justice.
Justice Minallah added another point regarding the election case, noting that all the judges had emphasized that elections must be held within 90 days. However, he remarked that the decision was not implemented.
Justice Minallah mentioned that in 2023, the election case was deemed inadmissible by two judges for similar reasons. He emphasized that they had advocated against interference in cases pending in the high court.
“If the decision of the Lahore High Court had been implemented, then the elections would have been held on time,” he further commented. He noted that no intra-court order was issued against the Lahore High Court decision.
Regarding the Supreme Court’s order on elections, Advocate Khan suggested that it might not have been issued due to disagreements on certain points. Makhdoom Ali Khan elaborated on the disagreement, mentioning differing opinions on the number of judges required to sign the order.
The Chief Justice remarked humorously about expediting elections during his tenure with Justice Minallah, indicating that he wasn’t part of the bench being discussed.
Makhdoom Ali Khan raised concerns about the case’s admissibility in court, prompting the Chief Justice to express frustration at courtroom disruptions, urging those who wished to speak to leave.
During this exchange, Imran Khan’s video link was briefly removed from the courtroom screen.
Makhdoom Ali Khan argued that the Supreme Court cannot hear a petition pending in the high court, asserting that the NAB amendment case was also not maintainable in the Supreme Court.
After some instructions from Justices Minallah and Mandokhel to court staff, Imran Khan’s video reappeared in the courtroom.
Advocate Khan highlighted the transition from the Practice and Procedure Case to the NAB amendment case, emphasizing their stance against the suspension of laws.
The Chief Justice and other justices raised questions about the suspension of laws and parliamentary procedures, expressing concerns about democracy and the balance of power.
Justice Minallah emphasized the importance of a strong parliament, independent judiciary, and fearless leadership in combating corruption.
The Chief Justice criticized the use of ordinances to impose the will of one person on the nation, questioning its compatibility with democracy.
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan was called to the rostrum, where Justice Minallah questioned him about perceived threats to judges and disrespectful behavior by public figures.
The hearing on the intra-court appeals against the NAB amendments verdict was postponed indefinitely, with instructions to present Imran Khan via video link in the next hearing.
Chief Justice Isa mentioned his unavailability for the following week and asked about the schedule of others present. The lighthearted banter ensued, with a PTI leader joking about Imran Khan’s potential future as Prime Minister from jail.
Imran Khan’s photograph
Meanwhile, after the photograph of PTI Founder Imran Khan went viral on social media, security was tightened outside the Supreme Court, as more officers were deployed. The SSP (security) himself reached outside the courtroom, and everyone entering the courtroom was being searched.
Unauthorized individuals were prohibited from entering the courtroom.
During the proceedings, a lawyer approached the rostrum and noted that the proceedings were not being broadcast live. Chief Justice Isa instructed the lawyer to sit down, emphasizing that they were in the midst of hearing arguments. Despite the lawyer’s insistence on bringing the matter to his attention, the Chief Justice insisted that the lawyer sit down.
Earlier, arrangements had been made for the video link appearance of Imran Khan in Courtroom No. 1, with a corresponding link set up from Adiala Jail. Access to Courtroom No. 1 was restricted to relevant personnel only.
Led by former Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, the Supreme Court had accepted an appeal filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder Imran Khan, challenging the validity of the NAB amendments introduced by the PDM coalition government.
In response to the verdict, the federal government promptly filed an appeal under the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act. The first hearing for the intra-court appeal took place last October, with the second occurring just two days ago.
In this appeal, Imran Khan was made a party by the government. In reply to the Supreme Court’s notice seeking his input, the former premier expressed his intention to present his case personally.
During the last hearing, the Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, granted Imran Khan permission to deliver his statement via video link.
