Adiala Jail has completed arrangements for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s appearance via video link in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) amendments case today, as per Geo News citing jail sources on the orders of the Supreme Court.
The sources mentioned that the jail administration has informed Imran Khan about his appearance through video link. A trial run of the video link was conducted by the staff of the top court and jail authorities before Khan’s appearance.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan is scheduled to appear before the Supreme Court at 11:30 am today via video link in the NAB amendments case.
Yesterday, his lawyers Khawaja Haris and Intezar Panjutha held a brief meeting with Khan in jail following the SC’s directive to the federal and Punjab governments to arrange for a video link facility for the imprisoned politician.
Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa had stated during Tuesday’s hearing of the federal government’s intra-court appeal against the SC’s 2023 verdict that annulled some of the NAB amendments, that Imran Khan can present his arguments in the upcoming hearing via video link if he wishes to do so.
Imran Khan, currently incarcerated in Adiala jail, had expressed his desire to appear in the top court in person to present his arguments. However, the court permitted him to defend himself via video link.
This will mark Khan’s first virtual public appearance in nearly 10 months, if he appears via video link.
According to the Adiala jail authorities, Khan’s video link appearance has been scheduled in compliance with the apex court’s orders. Khan, however, has the liberty to decide whether or not to appear before the bench. The authorities have assured that they will ensure Khan’s virtual presence in court.
In September 2023, a three-member bench of the SC approved former Prime Minister Khan’s petition challenging amendments made to the country’s accountability laws during the tenure of the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government. The court’s majority verdict restored graft cases against public office holders that were closed down following the amendments.
The striking down of the amendments will have far-reaching consequences as it would mean that references against some of the country’s political figures will once again be heard in the accountability courts. These include references against prominent political figures such as Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari, Yousuf Raza Gilani, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, and Raja Pervez Ashraf.
