Leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) imprisoned in Kot Lakhpat Jail have formally written to the Chief Justice of Pakistan. They are requesting urgent action to have their appeals against jail sentences heard and decided.
The letter, submitted through their lawyer, was signed by Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Umar Sarfraz Cheema, Mian Mehmood-ul-Rashid, and Ijaz Chaudhry. The leaders said they are law-abiding citizens. They highlighted that they have served the country to the best of their abilities. They claimed their legal and constitutional rights are being denied.
The letter stated that the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) had handed down the sentences in July 2025. Since then, they have spent 34 months in prison. They have filed appeals challenging the sentences. However, no hearing has taken place for the past eight months. Their lawyers have repeatedly filed applications to schedule hearings quickly, but no progress has been made.
In the letter, the leaders reminded the Chief Justice of previous instructions given to the ATC. The Chief Justice had earlier directed the ATC to expedite decisions in cases related to the May 9 incidents. The PTI leaders requested similar urgent action for their appeals.
They emphasized that prolonged delays in hearing appeals violate the principles of justice. The leaders asked the Chief Justice to instruct the High Court to hear and decide their appeals immediately. They argued that the continued delay is unfair and leaves them deprived of their legal rights.
