Imran moves UN against constitutional tweaks

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has filed an urgent appeal with the United Nations against government's planned move to amend Constitution.

The appeal was submitted to UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite by international legal counsel Edward Fitzgerald KC, Tatyana Eatwell and Jennifer Robinson on behalf of PTI founder Imran Khan.

The appeal highlighted the proposed 26th Amendment, which would strip the Supreme Court of its jurisdiction and transfer it to a new Federal Constitutional Court.

This would include matters related to the protection of fundamental rights and constitutional interpretation, raising alarms about political interference in the judiciary.

"The proposed amendments are clearly aimed at removing the jurisdiction and powers of the Supreme Court, at a time when the judiciary in Pakistan is already under threat," said Edward Fitzgerald.

He emphasised that the amendments would entrench existing impunity for human rights violations committed by military and security forces.

Further, the proposed changes would allow a National Assembly Committee to select the Chief Justice of the new court in private meetings, undermining public scrutiny and transparency in judicial appointments.

This is particularly concerning in the context of Imran Khan's ongoing legal challenges, including government plans to try him in a military court.

The amendments would severely limit his ability to contest the spurious criminal cases brought against him since he was ousted from office in April 2022.

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared his detention unlawful earlier this year, and Amnesty International has called for his immediate release.

The urgent appeal argued that the amendments would significantly undermine not only Imran Khan's rights but also the fundamental rights of all citizens in Pakistan.