- Imran Khan asks Supreme Court that CJP Qazi Faez Isa should not hear cases involving him.
- Khan cites a 2021 Supreme Court observation for maintaining impartiality.
- The request follows contentious history between Khan and CJP Isa, including a dismissed presidential reference.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has written to the Supreme Court of Pakistan, emphasizing that Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa should abstain from hearing cases involving him. In his written submission concerning the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) amendments case, Khan referred to a 2021 Supreme Court judgment that suggested Justice Isa should not hear matters related to him to uphold impartiality.
This submission follows the Supreme Court’s reservation of its verdict last month on the government’s pleas challenging the apex court’s September 15 judgment, which was delivered by a bench led by former Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial. In 2022, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government made amendments to the NAB Ordinance, which Khan challenged in the top court.
The PTI founder’s request is rooted in a contentious history with CJP Isa. Khan’s government filed a presidential reference against Isa in 2019, alleging he owned properties abroad under his wife and children’s names, which were not declared in his wealth statement. This reference was challenged and dismissed by a 10-member Supreme Court bench headed by then-Chief Justice Bandial. Khan later admitted that filing the reference was a mistake.
Khan’s submission also comes as he continues to face various legal challenges, and his party has voiced concerns about receiving biased judgments. A PTI spokesperson complained about the party being deprived of justice and its petitions not being taken up by the courts. The spokesperson stated that the PTI core committee believes CJP Isa should not sit on benches hearing their cases due to perceived favoritism in verdicts.
In his four-page submission, Khan reiterated that his opposition to the NAB amendments is not for personal gain but for the country’s greater good. He emphasized his long-standing stance against corruption and his commitment to justice, citing his current imprisonment as part of his sacrifices.
Khan argued that the NAB amendments were designed to protect corrupt individuals and hinder the prosecution of white-collar crimes. He warned that these amendments undermine the rule of law, deter investment, and harm economic progress, ultimately hurting the people the legislators are supposed to protect.
Khan also addressed the abuse of powers by the anti-graft body, suggesting that the NAB Ordinance should be reformed to prevent such abuses. He referenced the Toshakhana case against him, stating that a necklace worth Rs18 million was falsely declared as being worth Rs3.18 billion.
Reiterating his stance, Khan has requested the Supreme Court to dismiss the federal and provincial government’s intra-court appeals regarding the NAB amendments case.