Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, Imran Khan, has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the transfer of three judges to the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The petition, submitted under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, names the federal government and the registrars of the high courts in Lahore, Sindh, Balochistan, and Islamabad as respondents.
Imran Khan’s legal team argues that these transfers violate judicial independence and could adversely affect fair trials and judicial neutrality. The petition emphasizes that judicial transfers must adhere to constitutional principles and not be influenced by external pressures. It also references the landmark Al-Jehad Trust case, which set guidelines for judicial appointments and transfers, urging the Supreme Court to ensure compliance with these precedents.
The petition further contends that existing IHC judges are being targeted for retribution due to their previous stances against interference and their merit-based decisions in cases involving Imran Khan. It also notes that a judge was appointed as acting Chief Justice without taking the requisite oath, alleging that such actions aim to undermine judicial independence.
This legal challenge arises amid heightened tensions between PTI and the government, with the judiciary frequently at the center of political controversies. Legal experts believe this case could test the Supreme Court’s stance on judicial independence.
In a related development, the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) has also filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the transfer of judges to the IHC, underscoring the broader concerns within the legal community regarding these judicial transfers.
