SC rejects PTI lawyers’ plea for immediate meeting with Imran Khan

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has rejected a plea from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyers for an immediate meeting with their party’s founding chairman Imran Khan, while issuing new directives across various cases, Aaj News reported.

In Islamabad, a two-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi heard significant petitions related to the PTI founder on Monday. The court dismissed Imran’s bail petition in the Al-Qadir Trust case, citing it as infructuous.

During the proceedings, PTI counsel Latif Khosa pleaded the court to facilitate an immediate meeting with his client, which the chief justice turned down. The top judge remarked that such an order cannot be passed without issuing notices to the opposing party and hearing their stance. He further clarified the necessity of determining the current legal status of cases pending in other courts.

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Regarding the Toshakhana criminal case, the apex court issued notices to the relevant parties on the plea to declare the proceedings illegal, seeking a response by next Tuesday. The court has also sought a report on the PTI founder’s current health status in prison to assess his medical condition. Additionally, the court remarked that its current priority is to remove the hurdles created by the objections raised against the petition.

Clear orders were also issued regarding other major cases. The court directed the formation of a three-member bench to hear appeals against the acquittals in the Cipher case. Similarly, a three-member bench will preside over the petitions concerning the cancellation of the PTI founder’s bail in the May 9 Lahore incidents, as well as the defamation plea filed against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Further proceedings on all these petitions have been adjourned for two weeks to allow the respective benches and parties to complete their preparations.