**Supreme Court Delays Hearing on 2024 Election Fraud Lawsuit**
In a recent Supreme Court hearing, lawyer Hamid Khan, representing Imran Khan, the founding chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), faced a stern rebuke from Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail for his comments targeting the judiciary. The hearing, presided over by Justice Aminuddin Khan, focused on a petition filed by former PTI chairman Imran Khan, alleging fraud in the 2024 general elections.
**Challenging the Judiciary**
During the hearing, Hamid Khan criticized the judiciary for its alleged inaction on election-related matters, labeling it as “weak.” In response, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail advised the senior lawyer to be mindful of his language, emphasizing the importance of choosing words carefully. The six-member bench decided to adjourn the case indefinitely to allow the petitioner’s legal team more time to address concerns raised by the court’s registrar.
**Procedural Complexities**
The bench highlighted procedural complexities, with Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar urging the petitioner’s counsel to come prepared for future hearings. Furthermore, Justice Mandokhail questioned the validity of the entire election process, suggesting the need for separate investigations into each electoral constituency.
**Legal Wrangling Continues**
Despite Hamid Khan’s arguments citing Article 184(3) of the Constitution, the bench reminded him to exhaust all relevant forums before escalating the matter to the apex court. The court granted additional time for Khan to address the registrar’s objections, signaling ongoing legal wrangling in the case.
**PTI’s Stand Against Al-Qadir Trust Ruling**
In a separate development, PTI announced its intention to challenge the judgment in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case before the high court. PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram criticized the ruling as controversial and expressed hope for a favorable outcome in the appeal. The decision to challenge the verdict followed a core committee meeting assessing the legal and political implications of the ruling amidst ongoing negotiations with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
**Takeaway:**
As legal battles unfold in the Supreme Court and high court, the intricate process of addressing election fraud allegations and challenging judicial rulings underscores the complexities of legal proceedings at the highest levels. Stay tuned for updates on these unfolding legal dramas that could shape the political landscape in the coming days.
