PTI Distances Itself from Plea Filed on Imran Khan’s Behalf in IHC

PTI

ISLAMABAD: In a surprising development, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) distanced itself from a petition filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) by Advocate Faisal Hussain Chaudhry on behalf of its founding chairman, Imran Khan. The petition challenges the withdrawal of certain facilities in prison for the former prime minister.

Advocate Faisal Chaudhry claimed that the petition was filed with the consent of Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, the PTI chairman’s legal representative. However, in a twist, PTI clarified on Saturday night that Faisal Chaudhry acted independently, using an outdated power of attorney (wakalatnama) from Imran Khan without current authorization.

This distancing follows the revelation that Faisal Chaudhry had been excluded from PTI’s legal team just a day earlier. The party’s Secretary General, Salman Akram Raja, reportedly instructed Faisal Chaudhry to disassociate himself from all cases related to the party’s founder. Additionally, Faisal was removed from PTI lawyers’ WhatsApp groups, a move confirmed by Barrister Gohar on Saturday night.

In response, Faisal Chaudhry addressed the situation on X (formerly Twitter), expressing empathy for Barrister Gohar and acknowledging the immense pressure he might be under.

There are also allegations that Faisal, along with another lawyer, Intizar Panjutha, was working to facilitate the return of certain leaders to PTI, suggesting deeper internal dynamics at play within the party’s leadership and legal circles.

Faisal’s brother, Fawad Chaudhry, a former cabinet minister under the PTI government, left the party during the crackdown on PTI leaders following the regime change in 2022. His departure adds another layer of complexity to the evolving situation around Imran Khan’s legal representation.

The petition filed in the IHC highlights the challenges Imran Khan has faced since his imprisonment. It claims that his political opponents are actively trying to undermine his commitment to democracy, the rule of law, the Constitution, and the people of Pakistan.

The petition further alleges that since October 3, 2023, Khan has been subjected to inhumane treatment by prison authorities. He is reportedly being denied his legal rights and forced to endure harsh conditions that violate prison rules.

According to the petition, Khan has been kept in an 8×6 foot death cell throughout the day, deprived of the opportunity to exercise or walk. It also claims that the electricity in his cell was disconnected for several days, leaving him in complete darkness for 12 to 14 hours at a time, posing significant risks to his life and security.

Furthermore, the petition mentioned reports of poor-quality food being provided to Imran Khan, causing him stomachaches and vomiting. Additionally, he has not been provided with newspapers or reading material since October 3, effectively isolating him from the outside world and from news of the ongoing crackdown on his family and party workers.

The petition requests the IHC to direct the jail authorities to restore proper facilities for Imran Khan, in accordance with his status as a former prime minister of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the indictment of Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the Toshakhana case has been postponed once again. Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand, who was set to formally indict them, was on leave, causing the court staff to reschedule the proceedings.

The Toshakhana case involves allegations that Khan and his wife retained a valuable Bulgari jewelry set from the Toshakhana at a minimal cost. The indictment will now be scheduled for a later date, with the next hearing expected to take place in Adiala Jail, pending security and legal considerations.