ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Former prime minister Imran Khan has submitted a written response to the Supreme Court in connection with the intra-court appeals filed by the federation contesting the nullification of National Accountability Bureau amendments.
In his response, the PTI founder has requested the dismissal of the intra-court appeal and urged Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa not to preside over ongoing proceedings against him.
Khan states that amendments to NAB laws aimed at shielding corruption are unacceptable even in a banana republic, warning of its detrimental impact on the country’s economy.
Citing Justice Athar Minallah’s remarks that the amendments would also benefit him [Imran Khan], the former premier clarifies that his stance is not personal but about the welfare of the country.
Khan asserts that parliament should legislate in accordance with the constitution, suggesting that amendments should be introduced only to stop the NAB from misusing its authority.
Khan quotes an example, where NAB allegedly inflated the value of a necklace [acquired from the Toshakhana] from Rs18 million to Rs3.18 billion to build a case against him.
In his written response, the former premier has expressed concerns over CJP Isa hearing his cases due to previous decisions.
Khan criticises past practices where corrupt individuals manipulated laws and parliament for protection, undermining public trust in the legal system.
Khan argues in his written response that laws should serve the people rather than individuals, urging the Supreme Court to uphold justice without ignoring facts.
The Supreme Court had taken up the federal government’s intra-court appeals in October last year.
Back in September 2023, the court had struck down the amendments made to the NAB laws on a petition filed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder.
The verdict had been announced with 2-1 majority, with Justice Mansoor Ali Shah writing a note of dissent.
In his plea filed June 2022, the PTI founder had submitted that the amendments to the NAB laws had been made to benefit the influential people and legitimise corruption.