PTI Wins Court Battle to Consult with Imprisoned Imran Khan Ahead of Elections

The Islamabad High Court has approved a petition filed by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to hold meetings with the imprisoned former prime minister ahead of the country's February 8 polls. The order allows PTI leaders and lawyers to consult with Khan about the distribution of 700 party tickets and election strategy while he is held in Adiala Jail. The court emphasized that the caretaker government should remain neutral during the elections and granted permission for consultations, calling it a fundamental right. Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb reprimanded the interim government, questioning if they wanted to derail the polls.

The court also noted that the Election Commission of Pakistan and the government have a duty to ensure a genuine election with no perception of oppression or favoritism toward political parties. The allegations of attempts to exclude PTI from the elections were also addressed in the court hearing, with PTI leaders claiming that conspiracies were aimed at snatching their iconic electoral symbol 'bat'. These allegations of attempts to exclude PTI from the electoral process were further highlighted in a press conference, with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan asserting that the party's symbol was being targeted by other political leaders in an effort to undermine their participation in the election.

The court's decision to allow PTI members to hold consultations with Khan in jail comes amid election-related activities beginning within major political parties following the release of the poll schedule. It also follows a controversy over the Election Commission's decision to strip PTI of its symbol, a decision that was suspended by the Peshawar High Court earlier in the week.