LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday allowed the Punjab government’s lawyer to prepare a response by next week to a petition for the security of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan in Adiala jail.

Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan heard the petition by PTI Lawyers Forum President Afzal Azeem Pahat.

On a short notice, Advocate General of Punjab (AGP) Khalid Ishaq appeared before the court and objected to the maintainability of the petition at the principal seat of the LHC. He pointed out that Adiala jail was located in Rawalpindi and the relevant authorities were also stationed there. He said the petition should be filed at the Rawalpindi seat of the LHC.

However, the chief justice agreed with the contention of the petitioner that all central administrative officers were present in Lahore, so the hearing of the petition should be conducted in Lahore. The CJ remarked that two prime ministers Liaqat Ali Khan and Benazir Bhutto had been assassinated before and an attack had also been made on the PTI founder. Therefore, he maintained that no new incident can be tolerated.

He observed that there was no difference in hearing the case at Lahore or Rawalpindi seat. He directed the law officer to furnish details of the nature of the security threats at the jail. He gave time to the AGP till April 3 for preparation of the government’s reply.

The petition said due to security threats, the jail authorities imposed restrictions on meetings with the PTI founder. It said the life of the former PM was at risk in jail. Therefore, an order should be issued to provide complete protection to him.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2024