LEGAL
![Imran Khan Requests Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa to Recuse from Cases Involving Him and PTI](https://4thpillarpost.com/uploads/news/260720241449005.jpg)
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has filed an application with the Supreme Court, requesting that Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa recuse himself from any bench hearing matters involving Khan, his wife, any family members, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), or the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC). The application was submitted to the three-judge committee constituted under the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, comprising the Chief Justice, Senior Puisne Judge Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, and Justice Muneeb Akhtar.
In his application, Khan expressed his expectation that the past tensions, particularly the PTI government's filing of a reference against Justice Isa over properties in Britain, would fade away upon Isa’s assumption of the Chief Justice office. However, Khan claims this has not occurred.
“The alleged conduct and demeanor of the CJP while hearing matters in which the applicant, the PTI, and members of SIC have an interest, have led him to believe that his lordship’s presence in benches hearing matters in which the applicant, his spouse, and family members were involved will be inimical to the confidence of a large part of the people of Pakistan in the impartiality of the judicial process,” the application stated.
Khan further asserted that he, his family, the PTI, and the SIC would not be treated fairly in any current or future matters before the court involving the Chief Justice.
Petition for a "Grand Meeting"
In a separate development, citizen Qazi Muhammad Saleem has petitioned the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice and host a "grand meeting" featuring former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan, and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto. The petition suggests that the Supreme Court act as a "constitutional guide" to help these leaders devise a national plan to address Pakistan's current crises.
Upcoming Hearing on Arshad Sharif Case
The Supreme Court is also set to resume hearings on July 29 regarding the killing of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya. The bench for this case will include Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Naeem Afghan, and Justice Shahid Bilal.
These developments come amid heightened political tensions and judicial scrutiny in Pakistan, with significant implications for the country's governance and legal proceedings.