Islamabad – A tense scene unfolded at the Islamabad High Court on Wednesday as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi attempted to address Chief Justice of Pakistan Sarfraz Dogar directly, only to be met with the chief justice leaving the courtroom. The incident underscores growing frustrations within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party regarding access to the courts and concerns over the treatment of its founder, Imran Khan.
Afridi’s attempt to speak came after waiting for over an hour for a response from the chief justice, according to his statements to the media following the incident. The PTI has repeatedly voiced concerns about obstacles to legal and medical access for Khan, who is currently incarcerated. This latest development highlights a deepening rift between the PTI and the judicial system, raising questions about due process and fair representation.
Chief Minister’s Attempt to Address the Court
According to reports, Afridi approached the rostrum and greeted Chief Justice Dogar, but his greeting was not reciprocated. After an hour and fifteen minutes without acknowledgement, Afridi addressed the media outside the court, stating the purpose of his visit was to demonstrate the PTI’s commitment to peaceful and legal avenues for political expression. “We want to state that after exhausting all options, we stage peaceful protests, which is our right,” he said.
Afridi also revealed that a request for a medical examination of Imran Khan by doctors from Shaukat Khanum Hospital had been denied. This denial adds to the PTI’s claims that Khan is being deliberately denied adequate medical care while in custody.
Concerns Over Imran Khan’s Access to Legal Counsel and Medical Care
Senior lawyer and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, speaking alongside Afridi, detailed the challenges the party faces in securing access to Khan. Raja stated that despite a court order mandating two weekly meetings – one for lawyers and one for family – these meetings have not been consistently arranged. He explained that even when he and Afridi appeared in court, a directive to the jail superintendent to facilitate the meeting was not followed through.
“The Islamabad High Court is a closed door for us,” Raja declared, adding, “Here One can file petitions, but they are not heard.” He further elaborated on a separate case involving Imran Khan and the social media platform X, where the court directed that Raja be allowed to meet with Khan before a reply could be submitted. Despite this directive, Raja was denied access and the court proceeded with the case without his input.
Raja emphasized that Afridi’s attempt to speak in court was a representation of the concerns of 45 million people. He stated that the PTI intends to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court, asserting that “the case of Imran Khan will have to be fought by the nation and the people.”
Mobile Phone Confiscation and Concerns Over Transparency
The situation was further complicated by an incident involving a member of the public who recorded a video of Afridi inside the court building. Police confiscated the individual’s mobile phone and deleted the video before returning it, raising concerns about transparency and freedom of the press. This action has drawn criticism from those who view it as an attempt to suppress information and control the narrative surrounding the events.
The events of Wednesday represent a significant escalation in the tensions between the PTI and the judicial system. The party’s continued efforts to secure access to Imran Khan and address their concerns through legal channels are likely to continue, with the Supreme Court now poised to become a key battleground in this ongoing dispute. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as the PTI pursues its legal challenges and seeks to raise awareness about its concerns.
What comes next will likely involve a hearing in the Supreme Court regarding both Imran Khan’s medical examination requests and the alleged obstruction of court orders regarding access to legal counsel and family visits. The outcome of these proceedings will be crucial in determining the future course of the legal battle and the broader political landscape.
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