PTI leaders set to resume quest for court relief

Plethora of petitions met varying fates during ongoing year

LAHROE:

The PTI and its rivals appear set to continue seeking the Lahore High Court's intervention in their political conflict after the Eid holidays lake the previous several months.

A larger bench headed by Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh had declined PTI’s request for a stay order over investigation being carried out by a joint investigation team (JIT) against the party's leaders and workers but fixed a hearing on April 26.

The petitioners, including the PTI, had challenged the formation of the JIT to probe cases against leaders and workers of attack on law enforcement agencies and hooliganism outside former prime minister Imran Khan’s residence. The party had sought a stay order against the JIT's investigation till the disposal of the petition.

The party had earlier complained against the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) delay in conducting elections in Punjab and the caretaker government, police, FIA and other departments over allegedly registering false cases, arresting leaders and launching an operation in Zaman Park at Khan's home.

PTI leaders were granted protective bail in several cases, including nine bails in a day to Imran Khan in different cases, including FIRs registered under anti-terrorism laws.

In another case, Justice Jawad Hassan had orders the ECP to hold elections in the province within the stipulated 90-day timeframe.

A larger bench headed by Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh had disposed of the then chief minister Pervaiz Elahi’s plea after Governor Muhammad Balighur Rehman, confirming vote of confidence held in Punjab Assembly in wee hours on January 12, withdrew his order to de-notify him and his cabinet.

In another case, the LHC had suspended de-notification of dozens of MNAs and restrained the ECP from holding by-elections in their constituencies.

The LHC also suspended the National Assembly speaker's notifications of accepting the resignations.

The court had also restrained police officials from continuing the Zaman Park operation till the decision of the Islamabad High Court about non-bailable arrest warrant of Khan.

Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh heard petitions seeking a safe way for Khan to reach the LHC to get bails in various cases and to stop atrocities of police on him, his party, its leadership as well as the general public.

At one instance, Khan appeared before the court and confirmed that he had not signed a petition. The LHC had also suspended a PEMRA ban on broadcasting Khan's speeches.

Among other leaders, the LHC had directed the authorities to provide copies of complaints and the details of inquiries against former chief minister Sardar Usman Buzdar. A bench headed by Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti had granted PTI leader Shehbaz Gill one-time permission for travelling to the US. The court also turned down several pleas of PTI and allied leaders.

Hearing a plea of Awami Muslim League (AML) chairman Sheikh Rasheed, the LHC turned down his challenge to the appointment of Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

The LHC had also turned down the PTI’s plea against postings and transfers of public officials, especially constituencies where elections were to be held.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2023.