CJP says fully cognizant of his duties

In reply to Imran Khan’s letter, Justice Isa says he cannot be pressured nor will he favor anyone

ISLAMABAD:

The secretary of the chief of justice of Pakistan (CJP), Qazi Faez Isa, has responded to a letter written to the top judge by former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan, stating that the CJP is fully cognizant of his constitutional duties.

“Let all be assured that Justice Qazi Faez Isa is fully cognizant of his constitutional duties. [The CJP] will neither be pressured nor favor anyone. [He] by the grace of Almighty shall continue to fulfil his duties and abide by the oath of his office,” the secretary said in a press release issued on Saturday.

On November 30, the incarcerated PTI chief wrote a letter to CJP Isa, requesting him to protect the fundamental rights of his party.

Imran claimed “a fresh wave of state oppression” had been unleashed against the PTI, which, he said, was being stopped from carrying out political activities in the run-up to the general elections slated for February 8.

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He said several of the PTI leaders and workers were incarcerated in the wake of the May 9 incidents of vandalism. The PTI chief alleged that undisclosed first information reports (FIRs) were kept “in reserve” to re-arrest any bailed-out person affiliated with the PTI.

Imran urged the top judge to direct the federal government, the provincial governments, and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure that the PTI is allowed to hold political meetings and gatherings without any discrimination.



The press statement issued on Saturday said the CJP’s office received the 7-page letter attached with a 77-page document on Friday. It observed that the letter comprised a typed application, tabulated tables and photocopies bound in the shape of a yellow paper-book used in the Supreme Court.

The statement noted that identity and contact details of the advocate who prepared the document were not mentioned on the document. “As per the envelope, the document was couriered by Intazar Hussain Panjutha [advocate].”

The statement said misgivings arise when the political party on whose behalf the document has ostensibly sent is well represented by advocates. “Only recently, its [PTI’s] advocates conducted two significant cases in the Supreme Court—[one] on military courts and [the other] on elections.”

The CJP’s office expressed surprise that the document was received in a sealed envelope but “it had already been distributed to the media”.