Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders met Chief Justice Yahya Afridi on Friday, presenting a long list of grievances, including alleged political victimisation, unfair trials, and non-implementation of court orders.

The meeting, held at the Chief Justice’s residence in Islamabad, lasted for about an hour.

Following the meeting, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar held a press conference, stating that the meeting was initiated at the Chief Justice’s request.

He said that Justice Afridi shared a 10-point judicial reform agenda, to which PTI would provide its recommendations.

Gohar expressed frustration over government’s defiance of court orders, stating that PTI leaders and workers continue to face politically motivated cases.

He also highlighted Imran Khan’s alleged mistreatment in custody, claiming he was being denied medical facilities and kept in isolation.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja underscored the party’s strong opposition to the recently passed 26th Constitutional Amendment, calling its approval process questionable.

He informed the Chief Justice about human rights violations, the declining rule of law, and the use of the judiciary for political purposes.

Raja warned that public confidence in the justice system would erode if the judiciary remained passive.

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, briefed the Chief Justice on key legal concerns, including military courts, enforced disappearances, and violations of production orders.

He also raised the issue of PTI lawyers facing intimidation and threats, urging the judiciary to ensure their protection.

Senator Latif Khosa called on the chief justice to “set his own house in order” before expecting improvements in the judicial system.

He criticised alleged attempts to pack courts with politically aligned judges and urged a review of complaints filed by five high court judges.

Senior PTI leader Babar Awan stated that the meeting focused on three key issues: illegal abductions, privacy violations, and lack of fair trials.

He pointed out that while seven former prime ministers had open trials, Imran Khan was being denied a transparent legal process.

Supreme Court issues statement

Later, the Supreme Court released an official statement, confirming the meeting between PTI leaders and the chief justice.

The statement noted that PM Shehbaz Sharif had also been consulted on judicial reforms and had assured his support.

Justice Afridi acknowledged concerns raised by Omar Ayub regarding multiple hearings scheduled simultaneously for PTI leaders, along with harassment of their legal counsel.

The statement also revealed that Senator Ali Zafar requested additional time to respond to the Law and Justice Commission’s reform proposals, reflecting PTI’s commitment to engaging in the judicial reform process.

The meeting, attended by PTI leaders including Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Barrister Gohar, Ali Zafar, Salman Akram Raja, Latif Khosa, and Babar Awan, comes at a time of heightened political tensions.

This comes a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the CJP’s House on the invitation of CJP Yahya Afridi to share the agenda of the upcoming meeting of the National Judicial Policymaking Committee.

CJP Afridi informed PM Shehbaz that he intended to incorporate feedback from opposition parties into the judicial reforms initiative. He expressed a desire for the reforms to receive bipartisan backing to ensure they are “consistent, sustainable, and effective.”

The premier, accompanied by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, commended the proposed reform package. He assured the CJP that the government would contribute its feedback in the near future.

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According to jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s party, they discussed “various pressing issues” related to the legal treatment of party leaders and activists. “We are not informed about the dates of hearing of Imran Khan and his wife.”

They informed the CJP that laws and prison manuals were allegedly being disregarded and the issue of not being able to meet with the PTI founder was also raised. Ayub emphasised that many of their leaders have been “trapped in false cases.”

Moreover, the delegation presented issues regarding cases against PTI activists and the matter of production orders. “We informed the CJP that we do not recognise the 26th Constitutional Amendment,” he said, “The founder of PTI is not even allowed to talk to his children.”

Meets SCBA president

Earlier, after meeting the Chief Justice, Supreme Court Bar Association President Mian Rauf Ata stated that the Supreme Court Bar delegation met the chief justice in the context of his meeting with the prime minister. According to the Supreme Court’s statement, Chief Justice Afridi met with a delegation led by SCBA President Mian Rauf Ata.

The discussion covered judicial reforms and other key matters.

The SCBA President noted that the meeting with the chief justice was held in light of his prior meeting with the prime minister. He added that the chief justice is engaging with all stakeholders through the National Judicial Policy-Making Committee to improve the justice system.

Chief Justice Afridi has sought proposals from the opposition on judicial reforms, just as he did from the prime minister. A day earlier, the Chief Justice also met with senior lawyers from the Hazara division. Welcoming the delegation, the Chief Justice announced plans to visit the remote areas of Hazara Division to strengthen access to justice.