The recent developments regarding the appearance of deposed premier Imran Khan before the Supreme Court paint a vivid picture of the legal and political landscape in Pakistan. Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former Prime Minister, appeared before a five-member larger bench of the Supreme Court. This bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, was hearing the government’s intra-court appeal against the nullification of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law amendments.
Imran Khan appeared via video link from Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail. This marked his first public appearance in nine months. The court accepted his request to appear via video link, a decision that was made after his request for video link facilities was approved by the authorities concerned.
The hearing saw arguments from Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, government counsel Makhdoom Ali Khan, and Khawaja Haris, who represented Imran Khan in the initial litigation. The discussion touched upon various aspects, including the sustainability of suspending laws and the timeline of legal proceedings.
Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa expressed concerns about the prolonged legal proceedings and the suspension of laws, likening it to suspending parliamentary proceedings. The court adjourned the hearing for an indefinite period, with the Chief Justice stating his unavailability during the months of June.
Imran Khan’s appearance before the Supreme Court during his imprisonment is significant, as it places him among the ranks of former prime ministers who addressed the court under similar circumstances in the past, including Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.
The relationship between Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa and the PTI government has been tense since the filing of a presidential reference in 2019. However, the PTI did not raise objections to Justice Isa hearing cases related to Imran Khan during his tenure.
Overall, Imran Khan’s appearance before the Supreme Court adds another layer to the ongoing legal and political developments in Pakistan, highlighting the intersection of law, governance, and individual rights.
