ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday allowed PTI founder Imran Khan to take part in the court proceedings regarding the NAB amendments case via video link.
A SC five-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa passed the order while hearing appeals regarding amendments in the NAB laws. Justice Amin-Ud-Din Khan, Justice Jamal Mandokhail, Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Hassan Azhar were the other members of the bench.
The top court directed the Punjab government to ensure appearance of Imran Khan via video link. Justice Athar Minallah observed that the video link should work properly.
Last year on September 15, the apex court had invalidated amendments made to National Accountability Bureau laws by announcing its reserved verdict on the plea of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder.
Earlier in the day, the NAB prosecutor general submitted that the bureau would submit the federal government’s arguments in the case.
Justice Minallah emphasized the right of the PTI founder to appear in court proceedings, observing that it is is fundamental right.
CJP Justice Qazi Faez Isa observed that arrangements were made for the PTI founder to participate via video link, making it clear that the issue pertains to matters of law and justice rather than individuals.
The federal government had lodged a review plea in the NAB amendments case under the SC Practice and Procedure Law, with the Federation of Pakistan, National Accountability Bureau and PTI founder as the respondents.
The federal government in its appeal said that there was no breach of basic rights in the NAB amendments and asked the top court to overturn its previous decision. The government said that amendments or legislation is the prerogative of the legislative.
The apex court, previously, in a majority 2-1 decision, upheld Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s petition challenging amendments to the country’s accountability laws during the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government’s tenure.
Besides it, the court reinstated corruption cases against public office holders that were closed following the amendments to National Accountability Bureau laws.
