On Tuesday, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa instructed the government to arrange a video link for incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan. This will allow him to join proceedings of a case about changes to the country’s accountability laws and present his arguments.
The case was heard by a five-member bench led by the Chief Justice and Supreme Court (SC) Justices Aminuddin Khan, Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Athar Minallah, and Hasan Azhar Rizvi.
In 2022, the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government amended the accountability laws. These changes reduced the NAB chairman’s term and limited NAB’s jurisdiction to cases over Rs500 million.
Imran Khan challenged these amendments, claiming they benefitted influential accused persons. The petition argued the amendments would scrap corruption cases against high-ranking officials.
On September 15, the Supreme Court ordered the restoration of corruption cases withdrawn after the amendments. CJP Isa hinted at starting proceedings afresh if the council makes a solid case.
The apex court refused to stay ongoing corruption cases but restrained trial courts from announcing final orders.
The court handles several intra-court appeals (ICAs) filed by the federal government and a private citizen.
The larger bench issued notices to respondent Imran Khan through the jail superintendent.
