PTI leaders pile up complaints in rare meeting with CJP
Omar Ayub says CJP informed that PTI does not accept 26th Constitutional Amendment: CJP seeks PTI’s input on National Judicial Policy: Chairman Gohar raises missing MNAs issue: Salman Akram Raja and Latif Khosa accuse judiciary of political suppression and demand urgent action: CJP assures PTI of considering their suggestions
Top leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held a rare meeting with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) in Islamabad on Friday, during which they presented a load of complaints they faced during the hearing of innumerable cases filed against them, reported 24NewsDH TV channel.
The PTI delegation, led by party Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, consisted of Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, Salman Akram Raja, Ali Zafar and others.
The PTI leaders submitted a set of proposals regarding bringing improvement in the judicial system to Justice Yahya Afridi, who also held a meeting with the prime minister the previous day.
Later addressing a joint news conference, Omar Ayub said “We informed the CJP that hearing dates for cases are frequently changed and there is a lack of communication regarding hearing dates for the PTI founder and his spouse.”
He said the PTI leaders discussed “various pressing issues” related to the legal treatment of party leaders and activists during hearing of cases against them. They informed the CJP that laws and prison manuals were allegedly being disregarded and the issue of not being able to meet with the PTI founder was also raised, he added.
Moreover, the delegation presented issues regarding cases against PTI activists and the matter of production orders of the party lawmakers. “We informed the CJP that we do not recognise the 26th Constitutional Amendment,” Omar Ayub said and added “The PTI founder is not even allowed to talk to his children.”
Omar Ayub emphasised that many of their leaders have been “trapped in false cases.” Omar Ayub further informed the media that PTI conveyed serious concerns to the CJP regarding “systematic injustice against the party in the courts.”
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan confirmed that the meeting took place at the Chief Justice’s request. “We told the CJP that court orders are not being implemented,” he said. He added that the Chief Justice sought PTI’s recommendations regarding the National Judicial Policy.
Barrister Gohar also highlighted the issue of enforced disappearances of PTI lawmakers. “We informed the CJP about the forced abductions of our MNAs, and he assured us that he would ensure action on our concerns,” he stated.
Senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja emphasized that the Supreme Court must start delivering decisive judgments. “If constitutional and legal enforcement does not happen, the country will suffer,” he warned.
Raja criticised the misuse of Section 144 by authorities, stating, “A Deputy Commissioner imposes Section 144, and suddenly, all citizen rights are wiped out.” He added, “Today, if one person speaks up, 100 cases are filed against them.”
He reiterated PTI’s objection to the 26th Constitutional Amendment, criticising both its content and procedure.
Former Governor Latif Khosa urged the judiciary to fix its internal issues first. “We told the judiciary to set its house in order before making any further decisions,” he asserted.
Khosa warned that the judiciary’s failures would have lasting consequences, stating, “The injustices happening in courts today will haunt future generations.”
He also pointed to growing judicial discontent. “Even Islamabad High Court judges have written letters seeking justice,” he remarked. “Now, the people of Pakistan are waiting for justice.”