ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has written to the Supreme Court requesting Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa to withdraw his cases.
The former prime minister filed the application citing the previous order of the apex court.
The PTI founder’s submission comes as the SC last month reserved its verdict on pleas by the federal and provincial governments challenging the September 15 2-1 majority judgment of the apex court announced by a bench headed by former Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial.
In 2022, the Pakistan Democratic Movement government made changes to the National Accountability Ordinance (NAB), which were challenged by Imran Khan in the Supreme Court.
The move comes at a time when the jailed prime minister shares a rather contentious history with CJP Isa, as it was his government that filed a presidential impeachment against the acting chief justice in 2019 for allegedly owning properties abroad in the names of his wife and children and failed to mention them in his wealth statement.
The bequest was contested by a judge in the Supreme Court and was subsequently rejected by a 10-member larger panel headed by then-Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial.
Later, Khan admitted that filing the presidential reference against CJP Isa was a “mistake”.
Besides, the incumbent CJP has been a part of various cases involving the former prime minister and his party has raised concerns in this regard.
According to The News, the PTI spokesperson complained that his party was deprived of justice and that even its petitions were not disposed of by the courts.
“The PTI Core Committee wishes that CJP Isa does not sit on the benches in our cases […] unfortunately, the kind of decisions that are being given appear to be biased; an element of favoritism in case of verdicts strengthens our demand,” he asserted.
‘It’s not about me, it’s about the country’
In his four-page written submission, the PTI founder recalled Justice Athar Minallah’s remarks that he would benefit from the NAB amendments, however said it was not for personal gain but for the greater good of our country and millions of Pakistanis who put their faith in it.
“Throughout my political career, I have consistently stood up against corruption, even at great personal risk and sacrifice, including my current incarceration.
Protection of corrupt individuals
The ex-prime minister further said that the NAB amendments were made with the sole intention of ending cases against those involved in corruption and that it only ended their cases but also significantly hindered the prosecution of white-collar crimes in the future.
“These changes undermine the rule of law and create an environment where corruption can flourish unchecked, discouraging legitimate investment and hampering economic progress – harming the very people whose interests lawmakers were elected to protect.
“Amendments to the NAB Regulation to protect the corrupt will have long-term damaging effects on our economy, making it harder for honest businesses to thrive and for foreign investors to trust our legal system,” he said.
He also referred to Toshakhan’s case against him and said that a necklace worth Rs 18 crore was falsely declared to be worth Rs 3.18 crore.
The PTI founder reiterated his stand on the NAB changes case and asked the apex court to dismiss the federal and provincial government’s internal appeal.
