Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi has assured leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to resolve their issues.
A delegation of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) met Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi on Friday. The PTI leaders presented suggestions regarding the improvement of the justice system in their meeting with Justice Afridi at the Chief Justice House, Islamabad.
It should be noted that a government delegation led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also met with the chief justice a few days ago.
The PTI leaders also presented several demands in their meeting with the CJP. Justice Yahya Afridi assured them of resolving their issues. The PTI leaders who met the CJP included Omer Ayub, Barrister Gohar, Ali Zafar, Latif Khosa, Babar Awan, Shibli Faraz and Salman Akram Raja.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omer Ayub said he told the CJP that no one accorded any significance to court orders, cases were being filed against parliamentarians and their families, and jail manuals and laws were being flouted.
He further said he told the chief justice that the dates of cases against PTI Founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi were not being announced and were being changed, while Imran Khan was not being allowed a doctor's facility.
"Many of our leaders and workers were imprisoned in false cases," he said further. He said he told the chief justice that court orders, including regarding the Senate election, were not being implemented, adding that he told the CJP it was his responsibility to protect the judiciary.
"The CJP has sent the PTI founder's letter regarding May 9 and November 26 incidents to the constitutional bench," Ayub stated, adding that they also told the CJP about the alleged police and state brutality in Punjab.
Omer Ayub said they also raised the issue of missing persons in the meeting as well as that lawyers were not being allowed to meet the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi. “We apprised him about the tense situation in Balochistan where eight districts are demanding independence."
"In a country where the Constitution and law do not prevail, there will be no investment and the economy will not improve," he complained, adding that unemployment and population were increasing. "When there will be no rule of law, how will things move forward?” he questioned.
He said they told the CJP they were against the 26th Constitutional Amendment, adding that they discussed production orders that were not being implemented, the issue of intimidation and threats to lawyers, as well as police brutality. “We told him we neither want a deal nor a relaxation,” he remarked.
Ayub said Babar Awan told the chief justice there were open trials of the party’s various leaders, but no prison trials. Salman Akram Raja spoke in detail regarding the military courts.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar said their seven-member delegation met with the chief justice on his invitation. The CJP noted things down. "The chief justice is the head of the judiciary; he can give some important steps and instructions related to the judiciary," Gohar added.
He further told the media that the chief justice said the matter was in court and would definitely be looked into.
Salman Akram Raja said he told the chief justice that several petitions were pending. Barrister Ali Zafar said the chief justice had also asked for written suggestions.
