Published on: May 15, 2024 21:25 IST
Imran Khan’s appearance via video link in a Supreme Court hearing, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson Raoof Hasan has raised security concerns at Adiala Jail, where the PTI founder is currently detained.
This upcoming appearance marks Imran Khan’s first public appearance since his arrest last August in a Toshakhana case. Justice Athar Minallah emphasized the Supreme Court’s obligation to grant Imran Khan an audience if he chooses to appear in person for a case concerning alterations to the country’s accountability laws.
Pakistan Supreme Court Bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, has instructed the federal and Punjab governments to facilitate Imran’s appearance via video link from Adiala Jail.
Traditionally, convicted individuals have been barred from representing themselves in court. However, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has committed to complying with the directive, despite this norm. Concerns have been raised by PTI and Imran Khan’s family regarding perceived restrictions imposed on him ahead of the hearing. Imran’s sister, Aleema Khanum, highlighted sudden changes in his security detail and the cancellation of scheduled meetings.
PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan also accuses recent deteriorations in jail conditions, particularly in the last three to four days. He mentioned the replacement of Imran’s security guards on Monday and claimed that stringent security measures prevented lawyer meetings and weekly interactions with political leaders. Hasan further noted the cancellation of hearings in the Al Qadir Trust case within Adiala Jail and the postponement of proceedings in the cipher and Toshakhana cases, all following the Supreme Court’s order for Imran’s video appearance.
Hasan condemned these alleged security enhancements, attributing them to the state and its officials’ apprehension towards Imran Khan. He asserted that Imran’s potential appearance via video link posed a threat to those in power, who had refrained from broadcasting his voice or face for the past nine months. Hasan highlighted recent controversies, including a letter by six Islamabad High Court judges alleging intelligence apparatus interference in judicial proceedings.
The spokesperson emphasized the need to address the situation comprehensively, echoing concerns over potential obstruction of Imran Khan’s video appearance, which he deemed the authorities’ actual objective, as per Dawn.