'Imran cases to be listed soon after Eid'

ISLAMABAD:

After expressing disappointment with the Islamabad High Court (IHC), the PTI has approached the Supreme Court seeking substantive relief in cases involving former prime minister Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated for almost three years.

PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja, himself a senior advocate, met Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi and requested the early listing of cases, related to Imran Khan.

Talking to the media, Raja said CJP Afridi assured that cases related to Imran would be listed soon after Eid. "The meeting was positive," Raja said while talking to The Express Tribune.

Earlier, Imran Khan's counsel approached the Supreme Court seeking directives for the PTI founder's transfer to Islamabad's Shifa International Hospital.

He also requested the top court to allow his personal physicians, family members and legal team access to the jailed politician, as well as the provision of his medical records to his family.

Likewise, another petition was filed before the Supreme Court by Imran's sister, Dr Uzma Khan, challenging the IHC's ruling denying these facilities.

Prior to Raja's meeting with CJP Yahya Afridi, around 100 lawyers affiliated with the Insaf Lawyers Forum (ILF) staged a march on Constitution Avenue. The protest was organised by ILF Chief Organiser Intezar Panjutha.

PTI lawyers believe that the protest had an impact, as CJP Afridi subsequently invited Raja for a meeting.

It is learnt that PTI may approach the SC against the IHC order in the £190m case.

Political analysts believe that meetings with Imran could only be restored, if he stopped criticizing the security establishment during his communication with family members in jail.