Despite using unconventional methods, former prime minister Imran Khan has been unable to secure substantive relief from the superior courts.
So far, Imran Khan has written three letters to the chief justices of Pakistan (CJPs) — one to former CJP Qazi Faez Isa and two to the incumbent, CJP Yahya Afridi.
CJP Isa declined to entertain Khan’s first letter regarding PTI’s grievances. During the hearing of the NAB law amendments case, Imran had asked Isa to compare the facilities provided to him in jail with those granted to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
Isa had assured him that a focal person would be appointed to visit his Adiala jail cell, but no such visit was ever reported.
In February, Imran sent a letter to CJP Afridi. Commenting on it, Afridi said the letter raised issues that fell under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, and therefore referred it to the constitutional benches committee headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan for further action.
Now, through his sister Aleema Khan, Imran has sent another letter to CJP Afridi. PTI lawyers Latif Khosa and Intizaar Panjuta delivered the letter directly to the CJP in his chamber and met him for more than 30 minutes. It is learnt that the CJP assured them he would respond within 24 hours.
However, under the new constitutional framework, the CJP cannot directly invoke jurisdiction under Article 184(3). He may only forward such matters to the constitutional benches committee, which has already decided that public interest litigation will only proceed on constitutional petitions — not on the basis of letters.
Earlier, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also visited the Supreme Court, seeking permission to meet Khan in jail, but his efforts remained unsuccessful. Aleema Khan too sought a meeting with CJP Afridi on Thursday, but her request was denied.
Imran’s latest letter appeals to the CJP to “uphold the oath of your office and show the people that the Supreme Court of Pakistan remains their final refuge of justice”.
The PTI founder details his prison conditions, noting that he has now spent more than 772 days behind bars due to over 300 cases filed against him. He laments being ostracised, saying his sons cannot visit him or even speak with him on the phone.
