The Lahore High Court has restored the miscellaneous petition filed by PTI founder Imran Khan seeking that all cases related to the May 9 incidents be merged and tried as a single case. Chief Justice Aalia Neelum conducted the hearing on the petition.
During the proceedings, Imran Khan’s counsel, Latif Khosa, stated that he did not understand why the court office seemed to have an issue with him, as his name was not included in the case list. Chief Justice Aalia Neelum responded that the court also did not understand why he gave incorrect reports to the media about court proceedings. Khosa denied issuing any misleading information.
The Chief Justice further remarked that his fellow lawyer, Intizar Panjutha, should be asked about the situation, as during the previous hearing, the case was called, but no lawyer appeared, yet outside the court, it was claimed that the case was fixed without informing the legal team. She added that the court does not hear cases based on faces and that her court has granted the petitioner significant relief in the past.
Khosa said that lawyers observe strikes out of respect for the judiciary and not for personal reasons, adding that he was the senior counsel in the case, but his name still did not appear in the list. The Chief Justice replied that no system existed through which a lawyer’s name could be intentionally removed.
Intizar Panjutha told the court that the office had informed them that the case was not fixed. The Chief Justice questioned whether this information was included in their written request, adding that anyone who makes an incorrect statement should accept it.
Khosa requested the court not to delve too deeply into technicalities and noted that the counsel had apologized. Chief Justice Aalia Neelum asked Intizar Panjutha to step back and directed that only the lead counsel should address the court, saying that one lawyer was sufficient.
The Lahore High Court then accepted the miscellaneous plea for restoration and ordered that the main petition, seeking one consolidated trial for all May 9 cases, be taken up today (Tuesday). The petition requests that all separate May 9 cases against Imran Khan be withdrawn and replaced with a single trial. The hearing will take place today.
