IHC seeks response in contempt plea over denial of lawyer’s meeting with Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday sought a written reply from Advocate General Islamabad in a contempt of court petition filed for his failure to facilitate a meeting between PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja and party founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Adiala Jail, as the court questioned how proceedings could proceed without legal consultation.

Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir was hearing a petition filed by citizen Ghulam Murtaza challenging the blocking of the PTI founder’s X account, along with a related contempt plea for non-implementation of a court order allowing him to meet with a lawyer.

During the hearing, the court declared the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) response in the Account

“You should examine what the writ petition is and then examine your response,” Justice Tahir commented while addressing the PTA lawyer.

Read: IHC to accept X ban petition in February

The court noted that the prison authorities, the PTA and other respondents had already filed responses, but questioned how closing arguments could be heard when the petitioner’s lawyer had not been allowed to meet his client.

Salman Akram Raja informed the court that he had not been able to consult Imran Khan on the matter. In response, Justice Tahir noted that once the conference is held, the case could move to closing arguments on February 24.

The government lawyer argued that cases involving jail gatherings were being heard by a larger court. Judge Tahir rejected the delay, noting that without allowing the meeting, “how will this case move forward?”

Raja noted that the November 4 court order, directing prison authorities to allow the gathering, had not been implemented for more than two months.

“The order for my meeting is dated November 4 and it is yet to be fulfilled,” Raja said, adding that he had not met the PTI founder even once since he filed the case. “I have filed the case, but I am not allowed to meet with my client.”

When Raja asked him if he should go to the jail that day to arrange a meeting, Justice Tahir said the court would issue an appropriate order. “If the meeting is allowed, this case will move forward,” the judge observed.

The court ordered the government’s lawyer to file a written response and adjourned the hearing until February 24.

Raja addresses the media

Speaking to reporters outside the Islamabad High Court, Salman Akram Raja linked the court proceedings to what he described as broader democratic concerns following the February 8 general election.

February 8 marks the date of Pakistan’s 2024 general elections, which were held after Imran Khan was removed from office. The day has since taken on political significance, with opposition parties alleging that the election was marred by irregularities and did not reflect the public mandate.

“Answers will have to be given to the millions of people who voted on February 8,” Raja said. “We will not allow our mandate to be stolen.”

Read more: In numbers: complete results of the February 8 elections

Raja criticized proposals related to voting age restrictions, calling them an attempt to marginalize young voters. “Reducing the voting age group to 18-25 is a conspiracy against youth,” he said, adding that first-time voters cannot be held responsible for past governance failures.

“Pakistan has made no progress in 78 years. Now the lies and the status quo must end,” he said, asserting that efforts to silence politically conscious youth would fail.

Coming back to the court proceedings, Raja said the contempt petition was due to continued denial of meetings with the PTI founder. “The court order of November 4 has not yet been implemented. Meetings with lawyers and family members have been suspended for months,” he said.

“Without consulting his lawyers, Imran Khan cannot respond to the cases filed against him,” Raja added. “The PTI is a peaceful and constitutional party. Our struggle will remain within the framework of the Constitution.”