NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently jailed, invoked the case of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal receiving bail ahead of Lok Sabha elections as he protested his mistreatment in jail before the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Appearing on Thursday before a five-member bench led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Khan decried the “victimisation” he has faced since being ousted from power in April 2022.
The bench, which included Justices Aminuddin Khan, Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Athar Minallah, and Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, heard Khan’s grievances regarding amendments to the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO). Justice Minallah expressed sympathy, acknowledging the misfortune of Khan being in jail despite leading a major political party with millions of supporters, as per reports.
Khan, 71, argued that his conviction within five days was a deliberate attempt to sideline him from the general elections held on February 8. He contrasted his situation with that of Kejriwal, who was granted bail by India’s Supreme Court, enabling him to campaign. Khan contended that Pakistan is operating under an undeclared “martial law,” further oppressing his political activities.
Expressing disappointment over the Supreme Court’s rejection of a request from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s government for live streaming the case, Khan questioned the judgment’s implication that he was engaging in political point-scoring. Chief Justice Isa responded that a judge need not explain their verdicts, advising Khan to file a review petition instead.
Khan urged the Supreme Court to appoint a chairman for the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), criticizing the current appointment process as being influenced by a “third umpire” when consensus between the Opposition and government fails. Justice Minallah countered, stating there was no justification to invalidate the NAB amendments.
The PTI founder called for reforms in NAB, citing ongoing inquiries against him. Justice Minallah’s reminder about the Chief Election Commissioner appointment led Khan to argue that restoring the amendment would benefit his NAB cases but potentially bankrupt the country.
Chief Justice Isa prohibited Khan from referencing the Islamabad High Court (IHC) verdict in the cipher cases, as appeals might be pending in the Supreme Court. Justice Rizvi questioned Khan’s failure to oppose the NAB amendments in Parliament, to which Khan replied that his government was overthrown through a conspiracy, making it futile to engage with the current “conspiratorial government.”
Khan also sought a comparison of his jail conditions with those afforded to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. In response, Justice Mandokhel humorously noted that Sharif is not currently in jail, asking if Khan wished for his incarceration. Chief Justice Isa concluded the session by mentioning the possibility of a surprise visit by a judicial officer to inspect Khan’s jail conditions.
(With inputs from agencies)
Appearing on Thursday before a five-member bench led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Khan decried the “victimisation” he has faced since being ousted from power in April 2022.
The bench, which included Justices Aminuddin Khan, Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Athar Minallah, and Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, heard Khan’s grievances regarding amendments to the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO). Justice Minallah expressed sympathy, acknowledging the misfortune of Khan being in jail despite leading a major political party with millions of supporters, as per reports.
Khan, 71, argued that his conviction within five days was a deliberate attempt to sideline him from the general elections held on February 8. He contrasted his situation with that of Kejriwal, who was granted bail by India’s Supreme Court, enabling him to campaign. Khan contended that Pakistan is operating under an undeclared “martial law,” further oppressing his political activities.
Expressing disappointment over the Supreme Court’s rejection of a request from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s government for live streaming the case, Khan questioned the judgment’s implication that he was engaging in political point-scoring. Chief Justice Isa responded that a judge need not explain their verdicts, advising Khan to file a review petition instead.
Khan urged the Supreme Court to appoint a chairman for the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), criticizing the current appointment process as being influenced by a “third umpire” when consensus between the Opposition and government fails. Justice Minallah countered, stating there was no justification to invalidate the NAB amendments.
The PTI founder called for reforms in NAB, citing ongoing inquiries against him. Justice Minallah’s reminder about the Chief Election Commissioner appointment led Khan to argue that restoring the amendment would benefit his NAB cases but potentially bankrupt the country.
Chief Justice Isa prohibited Khan from referencing the Islamabad High Court (IHC) verdict in the cipher cases, as appeals might be pending in the Supreme Court. Justice Rizvi questioned Khan’s failure to oppose the NAB amendments in Parliament, to which Khan replied that his government was overthrown through a conspiracy, making it futile to engage with the current “conspiratorial government.”
Khan also sought a comparison of his jail conditions with those afforded to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. In response, Justice Mandokhel humorously noted that Sharif is not currently in jail, asking if Khan wished for his incarceration. Chief Justice Isa concluded the session by mentioning the possibility of a surprise visit by a judicial officer to inspect Khan’s jail conditions.
(With inputs from agencies)
