PTI leader writes to CJP highlighting judicial policy violations in 26 Nov cases

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) President Junaid Akbar has written a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi, urging him to direct the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi Bench to prioritise the bail hearings of political prisoners and PTI leaders in the 26th November cases.

The PTI's provincial chief has demanded of the CJP that, under the National Judicial Policy, their bail applications be decided within seven days, the 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Thursday.

In the letter, Junaid Akbar stated that on November 26, 2024, a systematic crackdown was launched against PTI. He expressed his deep concern over violations of fundamental rights and sought the Chief Justice’s intervention.

The PTI leader urged the Chief Justice to instruct the courts to expedite bail hearings of detained party workers and leaders. He stressed that PTI members were facing legal injustices, which must be addressed immediately.

Junaid Akbar pointed out that since November 26, 2024, PTI has witnessed a coordinated crackdown, during which multiple FIRs were lodged against individuals for a single incident. He cited the Sughran Bibi case as a legal precedent, emphasising that Pakistani law does not permit multiple FIRs for the same event.

Further highlighting violations of jail manuals, he stated that the treatment of political prisoners was causing immense suffering. He reminded that Pakistan is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantee prisoners' fundamental rights.

The letter also referenced Pakistan’s GSP Plus status, which is linked to its commitment to human rights. Junaid Akbar stressed that the judiciary must act as a safeguard against the erosion of public trust in the justice system.

He further warned that violations of political and human rights are a direct attack on democratic freedoms. He accused authorities of abusing legal procedures, casting a dark shadow over the justice system.

Junaid Akbar called for immediate action, urging the Chief Justice to instruct the LHC Rawalpindi Bench to give priority to political prisoners' bail hearings and to decide their cases within seven days, as per the National Judicial Policy.

He concluded by asserting that political workers, like all Pakistani citizens, deserve protection of their rights.