London: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) cancelled the engagements of UK lawyers who initially hired to represent former prime leader Imran Khan and take his case to the UN and other foreign tribunals on Thursday.
The PTI stated it has cancelled legal contracts with UK counsel Rashad Yaqoob. As well as with HRLAF, and Manchester-based Pakistan Supreme Court lawyer Azhar Siddique.
Former ruling party: PTI and Chairman Imran Khan “have no association/connection with the organisation HRLAF or Mr Rashad Yaqoob”.
The PTI and its chairman revoke all communication and interaction with HRLAF, Mr. Yaqoob, or any person linked with them. The party stated that the PTI/its chairman does not have any connection to this organisation. Or person or anyone associated with them and not in talks with them, and that no one, including Mr. Azhar Siddique, allowed to appoint anyone on its behalf, including international legal representation. It said that PTI will only use the party secretary general to hire international lawyers.
Last April, the previous prime minister, ousted by a vote of no-confidence, ordered Yaqoob to sue in UN and international tribunals. The lawyers also directed to urge the UN and foreign organisations to intercede on his behalf at the international and Pakistani levels after the May 9 attacks on army posts nationwide.
The evidence shows that HRLAF CEO given confidential instructions to engage top English lawyers to represent Khan in the UN. As well as in UN Human Rights Council, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, and other international venues.
PTI denounced Yakoob
PTI leaders initially denounced Yaqoob for commencing legal action. But evidence showed that the lawyer engaged to represent Khan and gather funds for foreign legal aid to fight UN and other issues. Yaqoob also authorised by Khan’s bulletproof letter of instruction (LoI) and other PTI leadership documents.
The PTI head “retained” Siddique to defend the former prime minister in several criminal defence issues in Pakistan.
The letter also instructed HRLAF’s Yaqoob “to initiate immediate and urgent international litigation to protect and defend the rights of Mr Khan. Who has been arbitrarily convicted, arrested and detained following his recent trial in Islamabad”.
Yaqoob and Siddique did not comment on the PTI’s service revocation.
