Islamabad, 16 May 2024, (GNP): Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), appeared in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) amendments case at Supreme Court a video link.
A larger bench of the Supreme Court, consisting of five members and chaired by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, including Justices Amin-ud-Din Khan, Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Athar Minallah, and Hasan Azhar Rizvi, presided over the case. They heard the intra-court appeals submitted by the federal and provincial governments regarding the NAB amendments that were nullified by the apex court.
Today’s hearing of the case wasn’t broadcasted live. Arrangements were made at Adiala Jail earlier today for the PTI founder’s appearance, as instructed by the Supreme Court.
Jail sources reported that the Adiala jail administration informed the PTI founder about his video link appearance. Prior to Khan’s appearance, the video link was tested by staff from the top court and jail authorities.
Khan’s appearance in court via video link
Imprisoned in Adiala jail, Khan expressed his desire to personally appear in the top court to present his arguments. Subsequently, the court permitted him to defend himself via video link.
A day earlier, his lawyers Khawaja Haris and Intezar Panjutha briefly met with Khan in jail following the Supreme Court’s directive.
“The PTI founder can present his arguments in the upcoming hearing via video link if he wishes to do so […] arrangements should be made for the presentation of arguments via video link,” Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa had said Tuesday.
He made this remark during the hearing of the federal government’s intra-court appeal against the Supreme Court’s 2023 verdict that invalidated certain NAB amendments. This case was also under consideration by the aforementioned bench.
Since August 2023, the former premier has been out of public view after being apprehended following a conviction in the Toshakhana case. Despite securing bail in some cases, he remained incarcerated after being found guilty in several cases, including espionage and unlawful marriage.
Hearing
Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), participated in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) amendments case before the Supreme Court via video link. The Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justices Amin-ud-Din Khan, Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Athar Minallah, and Hasan Azhar Rizvi, presided over the case.
Despite the hearing not being live streamed, arrangements were made at Adiala Jail for Khan’s appearance through a video link, following the court’s orders. Khan, who is currently incarcerated, initially wished to present his arguments in person, but the court allowed him to defend himself via video link. His lawyers, Khawaja Haris and Intezar Panjutha, met with him a day before the hearing in jail.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice inquired about the establishment of the video link with Khan, who appeared wearing a light blue shirt. Government counsel Makhdoom Ali Khan began his argument, ensuring it was audible to Khan via the video link.
The court also sought the verdict of the NAB amendments case hearing from the Islamabad High Court. Khawaja Haris, Khan’s lawyer in the case, requested to make arguments himself. The Chief Justice questioned the prolonged proceedings of the case, noting that 53 hearings had taken place.
The government’s counsel attributed the delay to discussions on the admissibility of the case. The Supreme Court adjourned the hearing indefinitely, directing that Khan’s appearance via video link be ensured in the next hearing.
Also Read: NAB Case: SC allows Imran Khan to appear via video link
NAB amendments case
In September 2023, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, led by then-chief justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, approved former Prime Minister Khan’s petition challenging amendments to the country’s accountability laws made during the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government.
After more than 50 hearings, the court issued a majority 2-1 verdict, reinstating graft cases against public office holders that were closed following the amendments. The apex court ruled to revive all graft cases worth less than Rs500 million against political leaders and public office holders, declaring the amendments null and void.
This verdict has significant implications, as it means that references against several political figures, including Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari, Yousuf Raza Gilani, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, and Raja Pervez Ashraf, will be reinstated in the accountability courts. Following the verdict, the federal government filed an appeal under Section 5 of the Supreme Court law against the court’s decision.
