Elections 2024: IHC questions the impartiality of the caretaker government

As Pakistan approaches the vital general elections that are set for February of next year, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) questioned the impartiality of the caretaker administration on Friday.

Judge Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb of the IHC chastised the interim administration, accusing it of overseeing a “terrible system” in the nation.

“The caretaker setup is creating such a terrible state of affairs that even consultation for elections is prohibited,” the court said, casting doubt on the government’s plans to hold the next round of elections on February 8.

“Does the caretaker government want to derail the elections?” he inquired.

The judge’s question came during the hearing of a request submitted by Barrister Gauhar Khan, the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), along with other attorneys, asking to see Imran Khan, the party’s founder, in prison.

The attorneys contended that, with the votes drawing near, the legal team wished to confer with Khan regarding the decision to give 700 party tickets.

After considering the plea, the judge dismissed the motion and granted permission to meet with Khan for talks prior to the elections in the following year.

The PTI founder should be permitted to meet with the party’s chairman, the court ordered, as long as the superintendent of Adiala jail keeps an eye on him.

The court agreed that “allowing consultation for elections is a fundamental right” and that the party has the right to confer with the founder over tickets.

He also requested that the interim administration abstain from intervening in the elections.

The objection to the PTI founder and chairman’s consultation, the court continued, raises concerns about the government’s impartiality.

During the plea hearing, the extra attorney general and the superintendent of the Adiala jail also made an appearance in court.

The court became enraged when the attorney general and advocate general both objected to the plea.

Was the extra message from the Supreme Court insufficient for you? Do you want me to send a note accusing you after the Supreme Court?” Judge Aurangzeb questioned, blasting the two government delegates.

The judge declared that the office of the attorney general and advocate general shall maintain objectivity as they represent the caretaker administration.