The Supreme Court (SC) has granted permission for PTI founder Imran Khan to participate in court proceedings regarding the NAB amendments case via video link.
On September 15, 2023, the Supreme Court of Pakistan invalidated amendments made to the National Accountability Bureau laws, announcing its reserved verdict on a plea filed by Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
A five-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa, consisting of Justice Amin-Ud-Din Khan, Justice Jamal Mandokhail, Justice Athar Minallah, and Justice Hassan Azhar, heard the government’s appeals challenging the NAB amendments verdict.
During the hearing, the NAB prosecutor general stated that the bureau would align with the arguments presented by the federal government in this case.
Justice Minallah emphasized that it had been communicated that Imran Khan wishes to participate in the proceedings. He questioned how a respondent could be deprived of attending court proceedings, stressing that this pertains to fundamental rights.
CJP Justice Qazi Faez Isa noted that arrangements were made for the PTI founder to appear via video link from Adiala Jail. He emphasized that this issue goes beyond an individual and concerns matters of law and justice.
Regarding review petitions, the federal government submitted a plea in the NAB amendments case under the SC Practice and Procedure Law, listing the Federation of Pakistan, National Accountability Bureau, and PTI founder as respondents. The government argued that there was no violation of basic rights with the NAB amendments and urged the court to nullify its decision.
In a majority 2-1 verdict, the Supreme Court upheld Imran Khan’s petition challenging the amendments made to the country’s accountability laws during the previous government’s tenure. The court also reinstated graft cases against public office holders that were closed following the amendments to National Accountability Bureau laws.
