The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday rejected a request for an immediate meeting with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder Imran Khan while also taking significant steps in ongoing high-profile cases, including the Cipher case.

The request by PTI founder’s lawyer Latif Khosa to meet his client was denied by the Supreme Court, which instead issued a notice to the government for a decision tomorrow. Chief Justice Yahya Afridi stressed that no order could be issued without notifying the other party.

During the hearing, Afridi noted that the admissibility of the application must be addressed first and reminded that related cases are still pending in other courts. He added that, in the court’s view, the case may have become ineffective due to a previous order issued on August 24, 2023.

The court clarified that it would review whether the case can continue.

Khosa argued for permission to meet his client, but Afridi said a decision on the meeting would also require notice to the other party. The hearing was subsequently adjourned until tomorrow.

Formation of 3-member benches

The Supreme Court also ordered the creation of 3-member benches to hear appeals regarding the acquittal of the PTI founder and Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the Cipher case. Additionally, the bail application of the PTI founder in the Al-Qadir Trust case was dismissed due to ineffectiveness.

Applications to cancel the bail of the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana case were also dismissed on similar grounds. Meanwhile, a 3-member bench has been set up to review bail cancellation petitions linked to the May 9 Lahore incidents. Hearings for the Cipher case and May 9 incidents were adjourned for two weeks.

All cases were heard by a 2-member bench headed by Chief Justice Afridi. The court emphasized that proper legal procedures, including the notice to all involved parties, must be observed before any orders or meetings can take place.