ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa has addressed the letter sent by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan, who sought a fair electoral environment for his party ahead of the February 8, 2024, general elections.
In a responsive letter, conveyed by Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmad, the top judge’s secretary, it was stated that Chief Justice Isa is fully aware of his constitutional duties and remains committed to impartiality, refusing to succumb to any pressures or favoritism.
Imran Khan had expressed concerns in his letter, highlighting what he perceived as “discrimination” against PTI, including arrests and legal actions against party leaders.
The statement from the top court reiterated Chief Justice Isa’s commitment to impartiality, stating, “CJP Isa will neither be pressurised nor favour anyone, and by the grace of the Almighty shall continue to fulfil his duties and abide by the oath of his office.”
Regarding the content of Imran Khan’s letter, the statement noted the reception of an undated seven-page application on December 1 at 12:25 pm. The document, consisting of a typed application, tabulated tables, and photocopies, totaling 84 pages, was bound in a yellow paper-book typically used for filings in the Supreme Court. The identity of the advocate who prepared the document was not provided, and the statement mentioned that the document had already been distributed to the media before being officially received.
The letter also pointed out misgivings about the political party’s representation by advocates even before the document reached the court, citing recent cases related to military courts and elections.
Imran Khan, who has been replaced as the party’s chairman by Barrister Gohar Khan, had urged the chief justice to intervene and direct federal and provincial governments, as well as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), to allow PTI to conduct political activities without discrimination.
In the letter, the former prime minister claimed that PTI leaders and activists were being targeted through the registration of multiple criminal cases, which he described as a “tactic of abuse and oppression” employed nationwide.
The letter concluded by highlighting the practice of implicating individuals affiliated with PTI in successive FIRs related to the same or different events, suggesting a systematic effort to keep them entangled in legal proceedings across the country.
