Imran backs Justice Shah's stance on ordinance

Endorses position taken by senior puisne judge on practice and procedure act

RAWALPINDI:

Former Prime Minister and PTI founding chairman Imran Khan has endorsed the stance of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah on the practice and procedure ordinance, expressing support for the judge's position.

Speaking to media from Adiala Jail, Imran agreed with Justice Mansoor's views on judiciary reforms, particularly concerning the Practice and Procedure Act.

Imran also criticised the Supreme Court's recent decisions, claiming they expose a conflict of interest within the judiciary.

He alleged that Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa has a hidden agenda and accused him of being part of the so-called 'London Plan', asserting that Isa's actions were politically motivated. The PTI chief further highlighted the exclusion of certain justices, including Ejaz ul Ahsan and Mazahir Naqvi, from key roles in the judiciary, claiming it was part of a broader effort to undermine his party.

Imran stated that every legal petition filed by PTI has been ignored, and that the judiciary's actions reveal a clear bias. The former prime minister also reiterated his frustration with the lack of coverage on military appointments, pointing out that in other countries, such news would not make headlines.

He argued that Pakistan has effectively become a "police state" under a regime harsher than those of past military dictatorships.

The PTI leader announced plans for protests against judicial actions on Thursday, followed by a party-led rally in Rawalpindi on Saturday, which would go ahead with or without official permission.

The PTI has filed a petition in the Sindh High Court, challenging the recently introduced Practice and Procedure Ordinance, which it claims violates a Supreme Court ruling. The petition argues that the ordinance breaches constitutional principles and calls for its immediate suspension pending a judicial review. In its petition, PTI stated that the ordinance, which deals with judicial practices, contradicts a ruling by a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

According to the petition, the bench had previously ruled that an ordinance could only be issued in cases of emergency. The PTI further argued that the ordinance could not be issued immediately after a parliamentary session, which it claims goes against constitutional guidelines.