LAHORE(National Times)- A constitutional representation has been submitted to the federal and Punjab governments, prison authorities and other relevant officials seeking immediate and complete implementation of judicial orders regarding incarcerated ex-premier Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi.
A constitutional representation is a formal written request or legal demand submitted to officials by a legal team or individual, drawing attention to specific legal and constitutional rights that are being violated or ignored. The move indicated that the authorities are being officially notified that they are failing to follow court mandates, with a warning that the failure to comply could result in legal consequences.
It was filed by PTI-affiliated lawyer Azhar Siddique at a time when a contempt plea, which pertains to Imran’s hospital visit, has been already fixed before a three-member SC bench, comprising Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, for Sept 16.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Nelson Mandela Rules and Convention against Torture invoked, in addition to several articles
The representation calls for implementation of the Islamabad High Court’s judgement of Sept 1 and the Supreme Court’s interim order of Aug 18 in connected matters related to family meetings, communication with children, exercise, meaningful human interaction, access to newspapers, books and other reading material, and provision of a functional TV facility in accordance with the Prison Rules and medical advice.
According to the constitutional representation, the SC had also directed that Imran Khan be shifted to Shifa International Hospital within two days, but the order had not been complied with by the authorities. It argued that the two judicial orders required cumulative and consistent implementation and that there should be no selective or incomplete compliance.
The representation invoked Articles 4, 9, 14 and 35 of the Constitution, the Prisons Act, 1894, Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978, and international human rights instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Nelson Mandela Rules and Convention against Torture.
It warned that continued default, evasion or dilution of the judicial directions could lead the prisoners and petitioners to invoke the contempt jurisdiction of the IHC and Supreme Court, besides other constitutional remedies available under law.
