Pakistan’s ex-PM Khan seeks judicial probe on alleged targeting of his party

Pakistan’s main opposition party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has filed a petition with the country’s top court for a Judicial Commission to probe into the alleged suppression and targeting of the party and its leadership.

The petition, submitted on behalf of PTI founder and former Prime Minster Imran Khan, requests the investigation to be headed by the newly-appointed Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, and two senior-most judges of the Supreme Court (SC).

Khan urged the apex court to examine the “political and non-political interference in state functions, any violations of constitutional oaths, and identify responsible individuals.”

The former premier also requested appropriate accountability measures against those found culpable.

'Restore fundamental rights'

The petition also called for the court to issue directives ensuring the “restoration and protection of fundamental rights” guaranteed under the Constitution, including rights to freedom of assembly, expression, association, movement, and the right to a fair judicial process.

PTI requested specific orders to prevent the “misuse” of Section 144, a law limiting public gatherings, and to stop arrests under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) laws. Additionally, it asked the court to address the denial of necessary permissions for PTI rallies.

The party has also requested guidance on limiting the registration of multiple FIRs (First Information Reports) against the same individuals to 'harass' and 'unlawfully' restrict citizens' liberty.

To curb the abuse of powers to arrest, the ex-PM Khan's party has asked for the court to ensure it is informed before an arrest and regulate the mechanism for filing FIRs against party workers for peaceful protests. The petition further seeks orders against authorities' frequent denials of NOCs (No Objection Certificates) needed for political gatherings.

The incarcerated party leader has listed the federal government, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, and Cabinet Division as respondents, alongside all four provincial administrations.

Not the first time

This is not the first time the PTI has petitioned the Supreme Court for a judicial inquiry. The party has previously approached the apex court to investigate alleged rigging in the Feb. 8 elections and the attempted assassination of Imran Khan in Wazirabad on November 3, 2022.

Khan’s legal challenges trace back to his ouster as Prime Minister in 2022, following a fallout with Pakistan’s powerful military establishment. Since August 2023, he has been imprisoned on charges he claims are designed to block his political comeback.

Both Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, face multiple charges, including accusations of selling state gifts worth millions of rupees from the Toshakhana, or state treasury, during Khan’s 2018-2022 tenure.