ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s former prime minister and PTI founding chairman Imran Khan has appeared in the Supreme Court proceedings on Thursday (today) via video link from Adiala jail in a case related to ordinance of anti-graft watchdog.
The hearing on the intra-court appeal against the apex court decision regarding the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) amendments is underway, and a larger bench spearheaded by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, is hearing the case.
However, the SC did not broadcast the hearing.
Khan, who remained in jail since August last year, joined the apex court proceedings as a petitioner through a video link in the case related to the amendments made to the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.
This will be Imran’s first public appearance since his arrest in August last year in the Toshakhana case. Meanwhile, Adiala Jail’s administration has made arrangements for Khan’s appearance before the Supreme Court via video link as per the court’s orders. However, it is Khan’s decision whether he will appear before the bench or not.
Earlier, the country’s top court allowed PTI founding chairman to attend court proceedings in the NAB amendments case via video link. A five-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa, heard the government’s pleas challenging the NAB amendments verdict.
Justice Athar Minallah stated that the court cannot deny an audience to Khan if he wishes to appear in person. The bench then ordered the federal and Punjab governments to facilitate Khan’s appearance via video link from Adiala Jail.
Regarding the review petitions, the federal government filed a plea under the SC Practice and Procedure Law in the NAB amendments case. The plea argued that there was no violation of basic rights with the amendments and requested the SC to nullify its decision.
On September 15, 2023, the Supreme Court struck down amendments made to NAB laws, approving Imran Khan’s petition challenging the amendments. The court also restored graft cases against public office holders that were closed down following the amendments.
