Anti-Terrorism Court Orders Lawyers to Facilitate Immediate Meeting with Imran Khan
RAWALPINDI ( WEB NEWS )
The Anti-Terrorism Court has ordered lawyers to immediately arrange a meeting with Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), instructing them to go to the jail and have the SHO (Station House Officer) of the designated police station facilitate the meeting. PTI founder Imran Khan’s lawyers, Faisal Chaudhry and Malik Faisal filed a new request in the Anti-Terrorism Court to meet with him. The application stated that the court had directed them to approach the investigating officer for the meeting; however, the investigating officer refused to facilitate it.
The application also stated that the Superintendent of Jail mentioned that Imran Khan is in police custody, not under jail administration, and that the lawyers’ meeting with their client is their constitutional and legal right. It requested that the investigating officer be ordered to allow the meeting. The court issued a notice to the investigating officer of New Town police station and summoned him.
Faisal Chaudhry stated that the Punjab government is hostile towards Imran Khan, and it is essential for the meeting to take place today. He expressed concerns about Imran Immediate Meeting, as alarming news had surfaced on social media, leading to widespread concern. He emphasized that physical remand does not equate to punishment, and meetings during investigations are constitutionally permitted.
The court clarified that the SHO of the designated police station within the jail will also be present, and both the SHO and the investigating officer must facilitate the lawyers’ meeting with their client, as it is a constitutional requirement. Despite the court’s order, the investigating officer failed to appear, and the court was informed that the officer’s phone was off and contact could not be established. Faisal Chaudhry termed this as a delay tactic, asserting that the meeting is their legal right.
The court accepted the application for the meeting with the PTI chairman and instructed the lawyers to proceed to the jail. The lawyers were to be assisted by the SHO and investigating officer in facilitating the meeting with Imran Khan. After the hearing, Faisal Chaudhry told the media that they would be heading to Adiala Jail, and if the meeting was not allowed, they would approach the High Court. Subsequently, the PTI lawyers received a written order for the meeting, and Faisal Chaudhry and Malik Faisal left for Adiala Jail, where they were set to meet Imran Khan today.