SC rejects plea to issue written order for meeting with Imran

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined a request to issue a written order allowing a meeting with incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in Adiala jail.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi, heard multiple appeals filed by the Punjab government against the grant of bail to PTI leaders and workers in connection with the May 9 incidents.

The court adjourned until next week the hearing on an appeal related to the physical remand of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan.

During the hearing, Imran Khan’s counsel, Salman Safdar, informed the court that the PTI founder faces 300 cases and that they are not given sufficient time to address them. Safdar requested the court to issue a special order permitting communication with Imran Khan.

The chief justice, however, declined the request. “This time, you’ll get to meet him without a court order,” the CJP told Safdar, adding, “Let’s see if the meeting happens without an order.”

Earlier, Punjab’s Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi told the court that they were not insisting on physical remand but sought permission for three tests. “Photogrammetric, polygraphic, and voice-matching tests need to be conducted in jail,” he said.

He further informed the court that the PTI founder had not cooperated in jail and should be compelled to do so. The CJP advised the special prosecutor to avoid claiming that the accused was uncooperative in jail.

Safdar, representing Imran Khan, argued that the case had reached the indictment stage and that remand was no longer relevant.

The court then directed its office to fix the matter before Justice Kakar’s bench on April 23. It also dismissed Punjab government’s appeals against the cancellation of PTI founder’s pre-arrest bail, terming them infructuous.

The same bench heard PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry’s plea seeking the consolidation of May 9 cases. Chaudhry requested that all cases against him be merged into the Multan Cantt case.

“Does your request include any relief from the high court?” the CJP asked Chaudhry, further questioning under which CrPC section the request was filed. Justice Yahya directed Chaudhry to prepare his responses, adjourning the hearing until Thursday.

Additionally, the bench adjourned until April 22 the hearing of former interior minister and Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed’s plea seeking acquittal in the May 9 cases due to insufficient evidence.