Pakistan Court Grants Permission for Imran Khan's Party Leaders to Conduct Election Meetings in Jail

The Islamabad High Court has issued an order allowing leaders and legal representatives of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party to visit him at Adiala Jail for election strategy discussions leading up to the February 8 polls. The decision, rendered by Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb in response to a petition filed by Khan, permits meetings with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party members, including Asad Qaiser, Junaid Akbar Khan, senators Aurangzeb Khan, Dost Mohammad Khan, and Ishtiaq Meherban.

In addition to seeking permission for these meetings, the 71-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician's plea requested the court to direct the superintendent of Adiala Jail to ensure privacy for Khan during consultations with his legal team.

During the court hearing, PTI counsel Shoaib Shaheen emphasized the party's need for discussions related to the allotment of 700 tickets, while Attorney-General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan raised objections to the plea's maintainability.

Justice Aurangzeb expressed dissatisfaction with Awan's arguments, referencing Justice Athar Minallah's additional note in the cipher case against Khan and ex-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. The cipher case revolves around the alleged mishandling of a diplomatic document, with the Federal Investigation Agency filing charges on August 15, accusing the individuals of violating the country's secret laws for political gain.

Both Khan and Qureshi were granted bail by the Supreme Court in the cipher case. Justice Aurangzeb, drawing from the Supreme Court judge's note, emphasized the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the government's duty to ensure a genuine and unbiased election process.

The judge criticized the caretaker government's apparent interference in election-related consultations, expressing concern about a system that disallows such discussions. Despite opposition from the AGP and advocate general representing the caretaker government, the court granted permission for PTI lawyers, including Chairman Gohar Khan, to hold consultations with Imran Khan in jail.

Justice Aurangzeb stressed the fundamental right to consultations during elections and called for the caretaker government to remain neutral. He questioned whether the caretakers intended to derail the polls and highlighted that opposing meetings between PTI chairman and Imran Khan raised doubts about the interim setup's neutrality.

The court, after allowing the consultations, underscored the importance of neutrality in the election process and dismissed the petition. PTI representatives, speaking to reporters, criticized the caretaker government, asserting that they are functioning on someone else's orders and expressing confidence in the public's support for Imran Khan. The political landscape intensifies as election-related activities gain momentum ahead of the February polls.