SC issues notices in Imran Khan meeting case; Salman Akram Raja rejects militancy claim

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notices to all respondents in a contempt of court case concerning alleged non-implementation of orders related to meetings with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in Adiala Jail, while adjourning further proceedings after seeking replies within three weeks.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, and comprising Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan, heard the case. The court issued notices to the superintendent of Adiala Jail, the Punjab home secretary, and the advocates general of Islamabad and Punjab.

The petition was filed by PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja over what he described as non-compliance with a high court order regarding access to the PTI founder. A separate plea was also submitted by Mishal Yousafzai.

Salman Akram Raja, along with Ali Zafar and Uzair Bhandari, appeared before the court during the hearing.

Speaking outside the court, Raja said there had not been a single week in which meetings with Imran Khan were facilitated. He questioned the implementation of judicial orders, asking whether court directives carried weight in the country and whether “rule of law” was being followed in practice. He also said the matter affected the credibility of the judiciary.

Raja added that PTI had pursued the matter only through legal and constitutional means. “PTI is not a militant organisation and will not take up arms,” he said, adding that the party had sought to appeal to the judiciary’s conscience through lawful avenues.

The court issued notices to all parties and adjourned the hearing, directing them to submit their responses within three weeks.