ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday sought a written response from the Advocate General Islamabad in a contempt of court petition filed over the failure to facilitate a meeting between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja and the party’s founder and former prime minister Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, as the court questioned how proceedings could continue without legal consultation.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir was hearing a petition filed by citizen Ghulam Murtaza challenging the blocking of Imran Khan’s X (formerly Twitter) account, along with a related contempt plea over the alleged non-implementation of a court order directing jail authorities to allow meetings between the PTI founder and his counsel.
During the hearing, the court expressed dissatisfaction with the response submitted by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in the X account case, describing it as “unsatisfactory” and noting a clear disconnect between the relief sought in the writ petition and the reply filed by the regulator. “You should look at what the writ petition is and then look at your reply,” Justice Tahir remarked while addressing the PTA’s counsel.
The court observed that replies had already been submitted by the jail authorities, the PTA and other respondents. However, it questioned how the matter could be taken to final arguments when the petitioner’s counsel had not been allowed to meet his client. Salman Akram Raja told the court that he had been unable to consult Imran Khan regarding the case, prompting Justice Tahir to observe that once the meeting took place, the matter could proceed to final arguments on February 24.
The government lawyer contended that cases relating to jail meetings were currently being heard by a larger bench. Justice Tahir, however, rejected the argument for delay, asking pointedly how the case could move forward if the meeting was not allowed.
Raja informed the court that an earlier order dated November 4, directing the jail authorities to facilitate his meeting with the PTI founder, had not been implemented for over two months. “The order for my meeting is dated November 4, and it has still not been complied with,” he said, adding that he had not been able to meet Imran Khan even once since filing the case. “I have filed the case, but I am not being allowed to meet my client.”
When Raja asked whether he should approach the jail authorities again that day to seek a meeting, Justice Tahir responded that the court would issue an appropriate order. “If the meeting is allowed, this case will move forward,” the judge observed.
The court subsequently directed the government counsel to submit a written reply in the contempt matter and adjourned further hearing in the case until February 24.
Speaking to reporters outside the Islamabad High Court, Salman Akram Raja linked the court proceedings to what he described as wider democratic concerns in the aftermath of the February 8 general elections. February 8 marks the date of Pakistan’s 2024 polls, which were held following Imran Khan’s removal from office and have since remained politically contentious, with opposition parties alleging large-scale irregularities.
“Answers will have to be given to the millions of people who cast their votes on February 8,” Raja said. “We will not allow the mandate to be stolen.”
He also criticised proposals related to changes in voting-age thresholds, terming them an attempt to marginalise young voters. “Reducing the voting age bracket to 18–25 years is a conspiracy against the youth,” he said, arguing that first-time voters could not be blamed for past governance failures.
“Pakistan has not progressed in 78 years. Now lies and the status quo must end,” Raja remarked, adding that efforts to silence politically aware youth would not succeed.
Referring back to the court proceedings, Raja said the contempt petition stemmed directly from the continued denial of meetings with the PTI founder. “The November 4 court order has still not been implemented. Meetings with lawyers and family members have been suspended for months,” he said.
“Without consulting lawyers, Imran Khan cannot respond effectively to the cases filed against him,” Raja added, reiterating that PTI was a peaceful and constitutional party. “Our struggle will remain within the framework of the Constitution.”
