SC issues notice to PM Imran Khan for attending political event

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday issued a notice to Prime Minister Imran Khan after he recently attended an event at the Convention Centre in Islamabad which was organised by the Insaf Lawyers Forum, with the court calling into question whether the prime minister can attend a political event and that too, organised in a public building.

In its written order, an officer of the court noted that the advocate general Punjab, who was also at the event, should not involved himself in political events.

“But unfortunately, the learned AG continues to be actively involved in Bar politics and participated in a function held by a particular segment of the legal community to canvass support for their candidate in the upcoming elections of the Association and was in the forefront of the function held at the Convention Centre, Islamabad,” added the written verdict of the court.

Justice Qazi Faez Isa said that a prime minister represents the entire nation and not a particular group or a political party. “The prime minister of Pakistan took votes from the entire country: he is prime minister of the entire country, not a particular group or party,” Justice Qazi Isa said in the notice.

Justice Isa expressed his anger at the AG Punjab for reportedly missing the hearing of a case to attend the Insaf Lawyers Forum event.

“How did a political party use a government building for its event? Can the Islamabad administration inform the court whether a fee was paid to book the venue,” he asked during the hearing.