The Supreme Court is expected to hear a contempt petition concerning the implementation of court orders allowing meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan. The case will be fixed according to the apex court’s recently introduced case-scheduling policy.
The petition was filed after allegations that prison authorities failed to comply with an Islamabad High Court order permitting meetings between Imran Khan, his family members and legal team. PTI leaders argue that despite clear court directions, restrictions on such meetings have continued for months.
The matter gained renewed attention after PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja met Chief Justice Yahya Afridi on May 20. During the meeting, Raja requested the early hearing of cases involving the jailed former prime minister. Afterward, he told journalists that the chief justice had assured him that pending cases related to Khan would be scheduled after Eid.
Raja had approached the Supreme Court last year after the Islamabad High Court dismissed a contempt petition concerning the alleged non-implementation of its March 24 order. The appeal seeks action against officials accused of ignoring judicial directives regarding access to Khan.
According to legal sources, the case is currently listed under the Supreme Court’s regular scheduling system, which prioritises matters according to a predetermined order. Court officials maintain that all cases are being fixed under the same policy to ensure transparency and consistency.
However, several senior lawyers believe the case deserves urgent attention because it involves fundamental rights. They argue that access to family members and legal counsel is a basic right that should not face unnecessary delays. Legal experts have also voiced concerns that cases involving civil liberties are not being heard as quickly as expected.
PTI maintains that meetings with its founder have been significantly restricted since late last year. Party leaders claim these restrictions have limited consultations with lawyers and reduced communication with family members. Government officials reject those allegations and insist that Khan continues to have meetings in jail under established procedures.
The issue comes at a time when PTI is facing multiple legal challenges. Since the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, several petitions involving the party and its senior leadership have remained pending before higher courts. The party has repeatedly sought hearings in politically significant cases but has struggled to secure timely relief.
Many constitutional petitions filed by PTI remain unresolved, contributing to uncertainty over the party’s legal and political future. Despite these challenges, the party continues to pursue judicial remedies and hopes that pending cases will be heard in the coming months.
Political analysts believe the Supreme Court’s handling of the contempt petition will be closely watched. They say the case could become an important test of how the judiciary balances procedural requirements with matters involving constitutional rights and public interest.
