CJP fumes as PTI lawyers skip hearing of intra-party election case

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) displayed a lack of interest in its ongoing intra-party election case as all seven of its lawyers, including Hamid Khan, were absent from the Friday Supreme Court (SC) hearing.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the SC adjourned the hearing on the PTI review petition regarding the withdrawal of its election symbol, the bat, until October 21.

The decision came after Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa expressed his disapproval of PTI’s request for adjournment, labelling it a "delay tactic from the petitioner."

During the hearing, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa remarked that despite PTI having seven lawyers on the case, none appeared before the court. "We will adjourn the case, but let the truth be spoken," the Chief Justice stated, emphasising that delaying proceedings undermines the integrity of the legal process.

The CJP further noted that the SC's decision was issued on January 13, but PTI filed its review petition on February 6, suggesting that the party may not have been serious about seeking a review. "It seems PTI did not want a review of the decision," the CJP commented.

In his remarks, the Chief Justice also pointed out that some 'great people' are sitting in the court who beat the drum that the case was about an election symbol.

During the hearing, Justice Musarrat Hilali, another member of the bench, added that such behaviour should not be tolerated in the SC, disagreeing with the decision to postpone the hearing. 

However, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa clarified that the case was being adjourned not because of the adjournment request but in the interest of justice, stressing that it would not be delayed for any individual, including Hamid Khan.

Reporter: Amanat Gishkori