PTI demands full court on judges’ letter

Raoof Hasan calls for open hearing broadcast live

LAHORE:

 

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has vehemently opposed the formation of a larger bench and demanded of the Supreme Court (SCP) to establish a full court to adjudicate the case concerning the letter written by six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges.

Addressing a press conference, PTI Central Spokesperson Raoof Hasan underscored the imperative for Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa to convene the full court and ensure an open hearing broadcast live on television to enable the public to witness the judicial process in this pivotal case.

“A full court is essential given the gravity and significance of the matter. Both the high court judges and the people of Pakistan demand justice, a demand that must be met. The responsibility lies with the chief justice that he cannot evade,” he said.

The six IHC judges had written a letter to the chief justice, alleging agencies’ meddling in the judicial matters. On that the government had formed a single-member inquiry commission consisting of former chief justice (retd) Tassaduq Jillani. However, Jillani recused himself on Monday.

The PTI spokesperson noted that the former chief justice’s letter corroborated the stance of the PTI as well as that of the legal fraternity, taking the issue beyond the purview of the chief justice and a seven judge bench.

On the occasion, former Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister Khalid Khursheed criticised the state of the judicial system in the country. He said it was a watershed moment in Pakistan’s history when six judges took a stand against interference by the agencies in judicial affairs.

Khursheed commended their courage and called upon the Supreme Court and the nation to safeguard them and rectify past mistakes. He underscored the importance of a robust judicial system in fostering growth and attracting investment.

He termed the six judges’ letter an expose of an assault on the country’s foundation, echoing sentiments expressed by chief Justice (retd) Jillani. Khursheed emphasised the need for Chief Justice Isa to protect his fellow judges and ensure justice in this case.

Earlier, the party had criticised the formation of an inquiry commission by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, labelling it as “inherently flawed”. The party also denounced the commission’s objective, asserting that it aimed not at transparent inquiry but at shielding the wrongdoers.

Meanwhile, talking about the suspension of PTI founder’s sentence in the Thoshakhana case, Hasan expressed the hope that the sentences in other cases would also be suspended soon because “all the decisions were against the law”.

Terming the IHC decision “a great day for our party and first drop of hope”, Hasan said that the PTI never lost trust in the courts, despite the fact that “hundreds of our people are unjustly imprisoned [and] if our workers get bail in one case, they are arrested in another case”.