Following reports that incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chiefImran Khan enlisted a British lawyer to represent him in internationalcourts, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Rana Sanaullahcommented on Sunday, stating that “a puppet is being utilized to tarnishPakistan’s image on the global stage.” The former minister expressed hisconcern that resorting to the International Court of Justice wouldeffectively cast Pakistan as a criminal entity internationally.
He added, “This disgraceful act can only be orchestrated by those whoharbor animosity towards Pakistan.” On September 1, the PTI officiallyannounced on its social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), that “PTIchairman and former PM Imran Khan has appointed the renowned human rightsBarrister Geoffrey Robertson KC of Doughty Street Chambers to provideguidance and representation in international courts regarding unlawfuldetention and human rights violations.”
A PTI source in Islamabad revealed that the decision to hire Robertsoncame after consultations with “key figures in the UK,” following advicefrom Omar Ayub Khan, Zulfi Bukhari, and Khan’s legal team in Pakistan.However, on September 2, PTI reversed its decision to retain GeoffreyRobertson KC due to a backlash and intense criticism in the media.
Doughty Street Chambers reported that PTI informed them of Robertson’sservices no longer being required due to criticism within Pakistan. In arecent statement, Sanaullah sarcastically remarked that the “privilegedfavorites” of the judicial system did not need to seek foreign assistance.
He questioned, “Who is financing Imran Niazi?” and alleged that thosebacking him were attempting to protect him, emphasizing how Khan had beenelevated to hero status, received foreign funding, and gained power at thecost of Pakistan’s economy and foreign relations.
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Sanaullah also pointed out that rising inflation had paved the way forcivil unrest, and he suggested that the youth were being radicalized toserve particular interests. Additionally, he mentioned that the occupantsof Palestine and the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK)celebrated upon hearing that Pakistan might face international legalproceedings.
Criticism arose in the media as soon as PTI announced Robertson’s hiring,with concerns raised about the lawyer’s involvement in campaigns againstthe Pakistani military and the propagation of false theories regarding the1971 war and the separation of Bangladesh from Pakistan.
In August, PTI had previously announced the termination of engagementswith UK solicitor Rashad Yaqoob, his organization Human Rights Legal AidFoundation (HRLAF), and Azhar Siddique, a Pakistan Supreme Court lawyerbased in Manchester.