Imran claims judges would send him ‘messages of helplessness’

ISLAMABAD: Hailing the Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges for raising their voice against the alleged interference of intelligence agencies in judicial affairs, incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan claimed that judges while convicting him would send him “messages of helplessness”.

During his interaction with journalists in Adiala jail on Tuesday, the former premier said: “I salute the judges for raising their voice and hope they will save the country.” Everyone knew about the “regime change operation,” he said while referring to his ouster from power in April 2022.

Referring to his conviction in multiple cases, the PTI founder said: “Judges used to send me messages that they are helpless.” Responding to a question, he welcomed the decision of former CJP Jillani for refusing to lead an inquiry into the judges’ letter and the formation of a seven-member bench of the SC on the issue. However, the PTI founder demanded the formation of full court to hear the judges’ letter. “It is a serious matter and should be heard by the full court,” he added. The seven-member bench, however, is better than the commission, he said.

Backing the IHC judges’ allegations, Khan said that senior civil judge Qudratullah, who had handed seven-year sentences each to Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the “un-Islamic nikah” case in February, had told him that he could not organise the valima reception of his son until he announced the verdict. He further alleged that during the cipher case trial, the judge went out for 10 minutes and handed him 10 years sentence while his statement was being recorded. “Interference in the judiciary and investigation of the judges’ letter must start with the [former IHC judge] Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui case.”

Firing a fresh salvo at the Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, Khan said that he was the main character in the implementation of the “London plan”. “The caretaker government and Election Commission of Pakistan jointly implemented the London plan.” To another query, the PTI founder claimed that Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and the Special Investment Facilitation Council would not be able to bring investment in Pakistan no matter what steps they take.