Deposed Prime Minister and founder of PTI, Imran Khan, appeared before a five-member larger bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, for the hearing on the government's intra-court appeal against the nullification of NAB law amendments.
Other members of the bench include Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Athar Minallah, and Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi.
Imran appeared via video link from Rawalpindi's Adiala jail. The hearing commenced with the Chief Justice calling Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan and the government's counsel, Makhdoom Ali Khan, to present their arguments.
Khawaja Haris, who previously represented Imran, also appeared in court. The Chief Justice requested Haris to ensure Imran could hear the proceedings clearly via video link.
The government's counsel informed the court that the NAB amendment case was sub judice before the Islamabad High Court (IHC). When questioned about the acceptance of the petition by the IHC, the counsel confirmed it.
The Chief Justice requested the records of the case from the IHC, including the order. The court also discussed objections raised by the registrar's office on Imran's plea.
The government's counsel mentioned that the Supreme Court had removed the objection and issued notices to the respondents. The Chief Justice expressed astonishment at the prolonged proceedings, with 53 hearings held in the main case.
The court adjourned the hearing indefinitely, with the Chief Justice mentioning his absence from the country during the months of June.
The larger bench had previously directed accountability courts to proceed with trials but refrain from announcing final judgments. Imran Khan had challenged the amendments to the NAB law, which the apex court declared unconstitutional.
Imran's appearance via video link was accepted by the court, marking his first public appearance in nine months. This also marks the first time he appeared before a bench led by Chief Justice Isa.
The relationship between Chief Justice Isa and PTI has remained tense since the filing of a presidential reference in May 2019. Imran is the third former prime minister granted an audience by the Supreme Court during imprisonment, following Bhutto and Nawaz.
