Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar led a three member bench and heard petitions against Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan and Jehangir Khan Tarin. He told both, petitioner and respondents, to refrain from commenting on the proceedings of the case inside court premises, on Thursday.
The bench was hearing petition filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hanif Abbasi, seeking disqualification of PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Jehangir Tarin on grounds of having offshore companies, foreign funding of the party and failure to show their assets in past nomination papers.
Counsel of Hanif Abbasi Barrister Akram Sheikh argued before the bench that Imran Khan had submitted fake certificates regarding foreign funding and assets. “According to the law, no political party can receive funds from foreign countries. Also, the chief of political party has to furnish a certificate that no foreign funding was raised,” argued Advocate Sheikh. CJP Mian Saqib Nisar remarked that the petitioner had to prove that Imran Khan got foreign funding for his party.
Justice Faisal Arab wondered that the petitioner wants disqualification on grounds of electoral rules and regulations. “Have you approached the Election Commission of Pakistan?” he said. He remarked that out of all members of the parliament, why he had chosen Imran Khan.
“We have not reached out to other institutions. However there are clear precedents in the past where Supreme Court has disqualified individuals under Article 62 (1) (F),” replied Barrister Akram Sheikh.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar remarked that the court had seen the record and a total of $385,000 were collected when Barrister Sheikh argued that a total of $2.3 million were collected out of which $2 million were spent by PTI.
At the last moments of hearing, Barrister Sheikh argued that Imran Khan should be disqualified for giving contradictory statements.
The media talk outside the court dominated the whole course of hearing, as all three judges repeatedly asserted their displeasure. When Barrister Akram told the bench that despite being restrained by the court from speaking to the media, Spokesperson PTI Naeem-ul-Haque talked to the media on Wednesday. Chief Justice remarked that if Naeem Ul Haque had talked to the media, it is regrettable.“Supreme Court is a sacred place,” remarked Chief Justice Nisar. It was reiterated that all parties should refrain from media talks during the court proceedings.
Justice Umar Atta Bandial said that the proceedings should not be turned into a game of ping pong. “Remarks by judges should not be disgraced. It is our wish that proceedings of the court remain within the confines of the court,” he remarked.
Previously, PTI Chairman Imran Khan requested Supreme Court through his Counsel Naeem Bukhari to dismiss the petition. However, the Supreme Court bench maintained the petition and started proceedings.
The hearing was adjourned till Monday.
