ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has rejected the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) petition challenging the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) decision that deemed the arrest of party chief Imran Khan by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) as “legal.”
This development comes after Imran Khan’s arrest inside the IHC premises on Tuesday. In response, the PTI’s Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi has called for an emergency meeting of a seven-member committee to strategize on securing Khan’s safe and early release.
The senior PTI leader, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, announced the party’s intention to approach the apex court, and a petition was subsequently submitted by the PTI’s legal team, led by Fawad Chaudhry, the party’s senior vice president.
The petition sought leave to appeal against the IHC’s order dated May 9, 2023, which upheld the legality of the arrest warrant issued by the Chairman of NAB on May 1, 2023.
Supreme Court registrar cites procedural flaws
However, shortly after the petition was submitted, the registrar’s office returned it, citing procedural flaws. According to the registrar, the relevant forum had not been approached by Imran Khan, and the petition did not bear his signatures. It was suggested that an intra-court appeal could be filed instead.
Addressing the media outside the Supreme Court, Fawad Chaudhry expressed concern about the legal and constitutional crisis that arose following Imran Khan’s arrest.
He also highlighted the potential economic repercussions, citing a report by Bloomberg that suggested an increased risk of default due to the arrest. Fawad emphasized that the PTI did not endorse violence and arson and urged party supporters to remain peaceful during protests.
Fawad criticized the federal government, accusing them of playing with national security and attempting to create divisions within Pakistan.
He highlighted the recent acquittal of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz in a money laundering case, juxtaposing it with Imran Khan’s arrest for his involvement in establishing a free university for the underprivileged.
Fawad called for the application of Article 6 against the current Chief Minister and Cabinet of Punjab.
Regarding the rejected petition, Fawad assured that it had been numbered and would be scheduled for a hearing in the near future. He concluded by expressing confidence that Imran Khan would soon regain his freedom.
