Lahore: PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s petition seeking dismissal of 121 cases registered against him has been fixed before Lahore High Court (LHC) for today. Two-member bench headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi will take up petition.

Plea named both Imran and PTI as petitioners. It said that government was “Misusing” criminal justice system to stop PTI Chief from participating in upcoming elections.

PTI Chairman has stated on multiple occasions that more than 100 cases have been filed against him. He told  LHC same on March 24 while seeking protective bail in five cases registered against him in Islamabad.

Petition named federation of Pakistan, province of Punjab, Punjab Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar, Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment director general, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, National Accountability Bureau, Federal Investigation Agency, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority and Election Commission of Pakistan as respondents.

Petition stated that purpose of “False accusations” was “Patently mala fide, to disqualify, arrest, or convict” Imran and “Eliminate him from political arena by any means necessary”.

According to petition, “Extraordinary nature of attack” on fundamental rights violated rights of “One of largest political parties in country”, including their rights to “Life and liberty, fair trial, dignity and privacy of home, movement, assembly, association, speech and equal treatment” as guaranteed under Constitution.

It said criminal cases against Imran were “One of whole host of tools of persecution designed to silence him, suppress his support and deny his fundamental rights.”

Petition argued that since Imran and PTI were current government’s electoral rivals, “There is no doubt that state machinery is out to completely stall public life and personal liberty” of PTI Chief.

It also said that person was entitled under Constitution to defend themselves in fair trial but “Overwhelming” Imran with cases and refusing his requests for consolidating hearings curtailed his right to free trial and rendered him incapable of defending himself.

Similarly, petition said Imran, PTI and party’s supporters were being prevented from exercising their right to contest elections and their freedom of speech was also being curtailed. It argued that while petitioners were “Being targeted and persecuted with full might of state”, their political rivals were freely conducting public gatherings and getting media coverage.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 03 2023

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