'Hamid Khan's comeback to salvage PTI on legal fronts'

A decision of the disgruntled PTI leader Hamid Khan to backpedal into the party’s fold may come as a shot in the arm of the former ruling party that is facing tougher times, particularly on legal fronts.

The possibility appeared on the horizon after the prominent lawyer held a meeting with Imran Khan two days ago after an incommunicado of years, a development the former confirmed to The Express Tribune.

The meeting was facilitated by party leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi on the desire of Imran Khan himself.

Hamid, who was one of the founding members of the PTI, had exited the party after developing differences with Imran over the filing of reference against Justice Isa. He had also opposed PTI’s move to discard no-confidence motion through NA speaker’s ruling.

On Monday, Hamid revealed that Imran Khan himself admitted that reference against Justice Isa was a 'mistake'. He however maintained that he had a scarce interest in getting any office or slot in the party’s hierarchy.

Senior lawyers believe that Hamid Khan's re-joining is significant as consultation with him would prevent Imran Khan from further embarrassments on legal fronts.

Insaf Lawyers Forum (ILF) Chairman Ali Zafar termed it “a great development” and said that although he is associated with Independent Lawyers Group – a rival section – “Hamid is a sane voice and will give advice in accordance with law and constitution”.

Read PTI leaders ‘found guilty’ of defying SC orders

On the other hand, some members of the legal fraternity believe that Hamid Khan should also end his differences with party leaders, especially Fawad Hussain.

During the PTI's government, Hamid Khan was also very critical of the undue influence of security establishment in the workings of the executive.

Meanwhile, it was learnt that PTI lawyer Chaudhry Faisal Hussain, who is Fawad's brother, has signed his vakalatnama (power of attorney) in nearly 80 cases related to the party.

It is pertinent to note that one section of PTI lawyers is of the view that party leadership should honour the services rendered by Faisal Chaudhry for the party.

Interestingly, the Independent Lawyers Group, (also known as Asma Jahangir Group), is closed to the coalition government led by the PML-N.

The same group, which is in majority in superior bars, has played a key role in making successful the no-confidence motion move against ex-PM Imran Khan.

Similarly, the senior member of the group Azam Nazeer Tarar was recently appointed as federal minister for law.

It is pertinent to mention here that Islamabad High Court Bar Association President Shoiab Shaheen, who belongs to Hamid Khan's group, has invited Imran Khan to address the capital lawyers in this week.

Observers believe that this is a sign of Imran Khan's rising popularity in the legal fraternity since his removal as PM.