On Friday, senior leaders of PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) met with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi, urging him to focus on resolving pressing issues within the judiciary instead of appointing additional judges to the Supreme Court (SC).
The meeting follows recent developments regarding the appointment of eight new SC judges, which sparked controversy. After their arrival, CJP Afridi reshuffled several committees responsible for distributing responsibilities among SC judges. This decision was contested by some members of the judiciary, with four SC justices earlier requesting Afridi to delay appointments until challenges related to the 26th Constitutional Amendment were settled. Concerns arose about public perceptions of “court-packing.”
CJP Afridi defended the appointments, emphasizing that the increased number of judges was necessary to manage the growing caseload. SC judges now handle 30 to 40 cases daily, a significant rise from the previous average of 12 cases per day.
In a press conference following the meeting, PTI leader Latif Khosa stated that the delegation had urged the CJP to address the judiciary’s internal issues before proceeding with further appointments. Khosa also mentioned the ongoing seniority dispute among judges at the Islamabad High Court and emphasized the importance of resolving these matters for the sake of justice.
Opposition Leader Omar Ayub also discussed issues concerning PTI’s incarcerated leaders, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi. Ayub raised concerns about their court dates, lack of access for their lawyers and family, and their treatment in custody. He also addressed broader issues like missing persons, the rule of law, and the economic challenges facing the country.
During the meeting, PTI leaders also followed up on Imran Khan’s letter to CJP Afridi, which raised objections to the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The PTI delegation reiterated their opposition to the amendment and called for the establishment of commissions to review their concerns. Other issues, such as threats to PTI lawyers and fabricated cases, were also discussed.
PTI’s interim Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan shared that the delegation was invited by CJP Afridi to discuss the upcoming National Judicial Policymaking Committee meeting. Gohar highlighted PTI’s concerns regarding non-implementation of court orders in their favor, to which the CJP assured that steps would be taken to address these issues.
Finally, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja stressed the party’s view that the judiciary must uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, emphasizing that its current failure to enforce these principles is detrimental to the nation.
