Key rulings on political cases, missing persons, and privacy rights
In 2024, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) handled a surge of political cases, including constitutional petitions and appeals filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his party.
Despite facing criticism, the court delivered significant judgments, ensuring justice in crucial matters.
Major Decisions
- Acquitted PTI founder Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case.
- Suspended sentences for Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana I case and granted bail during trials in the Toshakhana II (Bulgari set) and £190 million cases.
- Dismissed a petition seeking to disqualify Imran Khan over the alleged non-disclosure of his daughter, Tyrian White.
Missing Persons Recovery
The IHC facilitated the recovery of around 90 missing persons, including poet Ahmad Farhad and PTI’s focal person Intizar Panjutha, while 95 Baloch students remain missing.
A larger bench heard the case of the missing Baloch students, summoning caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar for proceedings.
Other Key Rulings
- Sentenced Islamabad’s deputy commissioner to six months and the SSP to four months for their role in the detention of PTI leader Shehryar Afridi.
- Overturned PEMRA’s ban on court reporting, allowing media coverage of judicial proceedings.
- Directed telecom companies to cease recording consumer phone calls in the audio leaks case, upholding privacy rights.
Court Expansion
This year, the IHC expanded its bench from nine to 12 judges, enhancing its capacity to address cases.
