Judicial commission appointed to verify Khan's legal consultation rights
Court demanded affidavits from jail superintendent and Inspector General
PTI leadership allegedly denied meetings with Khan for five months
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was not presented before the Islamabad High Court despite explicit judicial orders, with prison authorities claiming security concerns made his transport unfeasible.
Officials from Adiala Jail and the Advocate General informed the court that a video link for Khan's virtual appearance was also unavailable, raising questions about compliance with court directives. In response, the IHC demanded affidavits from both the jail superintendent regarding the technical failure and the Inspector General of Islamabad concerning the security challenges.
Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan appointed a judicial commission to visit Adiala Jail, meet with the former prime minister, and verify whether he had been granted permission for legal consultations.
This followed the court's earlier directive ordering authorities to present Khan via video link by 2:00 p.m. or, if that proved impossible, to bring him physically to the courtroom by 3:00 p.m.
Jail authorities acting in contempt
Today's hearing was related to a petition filed against authorities preventing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Mashal Yousafzai from meeting Imran Khan. The court had summoned the jail superintendent at 12:00 p.m., ordering him to meet Imran Khan and report whether Yousafzai was legally representing him.
During the proceedings, the court expressed dissatisfaction with the jail authorities, stating that their actions indicated contempt of court. Justice Ishaq remarked that the court's previous order had clearly permitted the meeting and that the jail administration was expected to comply.
The jail authorities presented a list of lawyers allegedly approved by Imran Khan, but the court remained unconvinced and insisted on direct verification.
Proceedings amid security concerns
When the hearing resumed, PTI leader and advocate Shoaib Shaheen informed the court that for the past five months, PTI's leadership had been denied meetings with Khan.
When the court questioned Jail Superintendent Abdul Ghafoor Anjum about the reasons for delaying the meetings, the superintendent stated that he had been out of the city and that Imran Khan himself had declined meetings on the previous Friday.
Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan speaking at the Islamabad Bar Council, May 14, 2024. Khan has appointed a judicial commission to meet with Imran Khan and verify whether he had been granted legal consultations.
Islamabad Bar Council / Linkedin
Justice Ishaq further questioned why Mashal Yousafzai was kept waiting in the superintendent's office without being allowed to meet Khan. The jail official responded that both Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, had denied that Yousafzai was their legal representative.
Judicial commission formed
The court also appointed law clerk Sakina Bangash as a judicial commissioner to visit Adiala Jail and personally verify whether Mashal Yousafzai was indeed Khan's lawyer.
During the session, a list of six lawyers, allegedly signed by Imran Khan, was submitted to the court. Mashal Yousafzai welcomed the judicial commission's formation, calling it a "golden opportunity" to verify whether Khan was being allowed to meet his legal team and political associates.
The IHC directed the judicial commission to seek answers to four key questions: Does Imran Khan acknowledge Mashal Yousafzai as his lawyer? Has he been allowed to sign legal documents? Has he been granted permission to meet his lawyers? Are his legal and political meetings being facilitated?
The court adjourned the hearing until next Wednesday, awaiting the commission's findings.
Comments
See what people are discussing