The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed that all cases related to meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan be merged and heard by a larger bench to ensure consistency and efficiency in legal proceedings.
The ruling was issued by Acting Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar during a hearing of a petition filed by Adiala Jail Superintendent Abdul Ghafoor Anjum. The superintendent requested that similar cases be consolidated, arguing that multiple benches addressing the same issue were causing unnecessary legal complexities and administrative burdens.
Advocate Naveed Malik, representing the jail superintendent, highlighted that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for meetings with prisoners, including high-profile inmates like Imran Khan, had already been decided in an intra-court appeal. Despite this, numerous petitions on the same matter were still being heard by different benches, leading to conflicting proceedings and inefficiencies.
Malik further emphasized that the jail superintendent, who is responsible for overseeing thousands of prisoners, was being required to appear in court five days a week, diverting critical time and resources from his primary duties. He argued that consolidating all related cases under a single bench would not only streamline the legal process but also prevent unnecessary duplication of efforts.
Taking these arguments into account, the court accepted the request and approved the formation of a larger bench to collectively hear all cases concerning meetings with the PTI founder. The decision is expected to expedite legal proceedings, ensure uniform rulings, and reduce administrative pressure on the jail authorities.
This move comes amid ongoing legal battles over access to Imran Khan, with various stakeholders, including his legal team and political allies, seeking permissions for meetings. The case has gained significant public and political attention, as it directly impacts the former prime minister’s communication and legal strategy while in detention.
By consolidating these cases, the IHC aims to bring clarity to the issue and establish a uniform legal stance on the matter. The larger bench will now review all related petitions and issue a ruling that will apply across all similar cases.
