LHC reserves verdict on PTI plea against JIT

A Lahore High Court (LHC) larger bench headed by Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh on Thursday reserved verdict on a plea against the formation of joint investigation team (JIT) established to probe alleged rioting and attack on law enforcement agencies by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and leaders.

In earlier proceedings, the bench had turned down the PTI’s request of granting them an interim relief by restraining the JIT from its work till the decision of this petition.

As the proceedings commenced earlier today, the PTI’s counsels argued that the Constitution has not empowered the caretaker government to constitute any JIT. They argued that they did not want halting the investigation but had challenged the formation of the JIT “which is quite illegal and unlawful”.

To which, Advocate General Punjab (AGP) Shan Gul responded that PTI leaders did not ever appear before the JIT so under which ground, they are challenging its formation.

He argued that the officers of the federal institutions were made part of the JIT following the PTI’s strong reservations on Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab.

On a point the AGP Gul raised objection over the prosecutor general arguing he was given the instructions to appear in this case.

Responding to the petitioner’s query, the AGP Gul argued that the Constitution allows the caretaker government to constitute JIT. The caretaker setup could get permission for JIT formation through its cabinet, he further argued.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 21^st, 2023.