SC rejects plea to let Imran’s family member speak in court

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to allow any family member of former prime minister/ Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to speak in the court.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi and comprising Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, heard appeals of Imran Khan against Lahore High Court (LHC) judgement dismissing his petition seeking post arrest bail in May 9 incident’s cases. The court again adjourned the hearing until today (Thursday) at 10:30 am as the Punjab special prosecutor could not appear before the court.

The bench the other day had adjourned the hearing for Wednesday after the CJP had noted that he could not go through the additional documents submitted by Imran Khan’s counsel Salman Safdar, which have to be examined properly.

On Wednesday, when the court resumed hearing in the appeals, an assistant of Punjab Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi informed the court that Naqvi was suffering from food poisoning, hence he could not turn up.

He requested the court to adjourn the matter for a week; however, the CJP rejected the plea, holding that the hearing is only adjourned for today (Thursday) at 10:30 am. During the hearing, the PTI founder’s counsel requested the court to at least hear their side. To this, the CJP replied that they first wanted to hear from the prosecution, adding that the prosecution must explain how the LHC decision could be upheld. “We have already asked them as to whether this decision is sustainable,” he remarked. “Once we are satisfied with the prosecution, then it will be your turn,” he told Salman Safdar.

Imran’s counsel submitted that it had been eight months since the case was stuck in the LHC. Salman Safdar contended that around eight prosecutors have been changed and countless adjournments taken place. “I’m tired of these delays.” Justice Yahya remarked that they were not giving a long adjournment but adjourning the matter only for a day.

Meanwhile, Barrister Salman Safdar submitted before the court that a family member of Imran wanted to say something. The chief justice, however, rejected the plea.

“I will not allow any member of the appellant’s family speak in the court,” he CJP remarked and adjourned the hearing.