Web Desk: Supreme Court on Monday declined to issue immediate orders allowing a meeting with jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, instead seeking a response from the government and postponing further hearing until Tuesday.
A two-member bench led by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi heard the case, which was argued by senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and lawyer Latif Khosa.
During the hearing, Khosa urged the court to grant immediate permission for a meeting with the PTI founder. However, the bench refused to issue instant directions, saying such an order could not be passed without first hearing all relevant parties.
Chief Justice Afridi said the court must issue notices before making any ruling of this nature. He added that the petition would first need to overcome objections regarding its maintainability.
The chief justice noted that multiple cases involving Khan were currently pending before other courts, raising questions about whether the matter under review still served any legal purpose.
The court was informed that the petition challenged an order issued on Aug. 24, 2023. At an initial review, the chief justice observed that the case appeared to have become ineffective, though he stressed that a detailed examination was necessary before reaching a final conclusion.
Before issuing any directions related to meetings, the court must determine whether the case remains maintainable and whether it can still proceed, Afridi said.
The bench issued a notice to the government and adjourned the hearing until Tuesday.
Separately, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking cancellation of Khan’s bail in the Al-Qadir Trust case, ruling that the matter had lost its legal standing and no further proceedings were required.
The rulings come amid heightened debate in political and legal circles over access to the PTI founder and the status of multiple cases against him. Legal observers say the court’s remarks could shape future litigation strategy involving Khan and his party.
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