ISLAMABAD: Famous lawyer Salman Akram Raja has said that legal cases in Pakistan are being used as political tools, and the global community is observing the selective and unjust punishments being handed out. Speaking on ABN News’s program Sawal Se Aagay, Raja described the cases against former Prime Minister Imran Khan as baseless and hollow, predicting they would eventually collapse.
He stated that if a conviction is handed down in the Toshakhana II case, the legal team would immediately appeal. Similarly, a sentence suspension request has already been filed in the £190 million case, but the objective, according to Raja, is to keep Imran Khan behind bars despite potential legal relief.
“The whole world can see this system has become a mockery,” Raja said, referencing the Commonwealth Observer Group’s report, which he said clearly mentioned that the February 8, 2024 elections were compromised.
Raja also revealed that Imran Khan’s sons have submitted a petition to the United Nations, reflecting PTI’s lack of trust in Pakistan’s judicial process. He asserted that Imran Khan will not bow down to get out of jail and is instead fighting a battle of principles.
He criticized Imran Khan’s solitary confinement, calling it a form of torture under UN standards. He also denounced government-led committees as mere public relations stunts meant to show the world that “everything is fine,” while in reality, opposition-led decisions in parliament are being ignored due to political pressure.
On PTI’s political strategy, Raja said that resigning from assemblies is not currently an option, as elected representatives are the true voice of the people. He announced that PTI’s September 27 rally would be a strong declaration against a fake and unjust system, and that the party plans to mobilize the public to expose it.
“Mass movements don’t begin by pushing a button—they evolve based on public sentiment. If the government continues to suppress rights, history will carve its own path,” Raja warned.
Dr. Nauman Niaz on Asia Cup Controversy: “Handshake Snub Was Political”
Also on the program, cricket expert Dr. Nauman Niaz backed the PCB’s protest to the ICC regarding the handshake controversy in the Asia Cup. He acknowledged that while handshakes aren’t mandatory, Indian player Suryakumar Yadav’s behavior was political, not sporting.
“Under ICC rules, religious and political statements on the field are punishable. Players like Usman Khawaja and Moeen Ali have been fined for less. So why was Suryakumar given a free pass?” Niaz questioned.
He said the PCB was right to protest but warned that boycotting matches would hurt Pakistan commercially and affect sponsorships. He added that Pakistan should have filed an immediate complaint with the ICC when the incident occurred.
Pakistan Cricket Under Fire for Structural Failures
Dr. Niaz also painted a grim picture of Pakistan’s cricket infrastructure, criticizing the PCB for spending 18 billion rupees without developing mechanics labs or AI tools. Most of the funds, he said, were used for stadium repairs, not player development.
He questioned the removal of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan without preparing proper replacements and said the team captain is often not fit for selection. Poor administrative decisions and a lack of vision have hurt team performance, especially in major tournaments.
“Fakhar Zaman is being played out of position. Mohammad Haris is a one-dimensional player not suited for top-level competition. The team lacks a true all-rounder and consistent batting,” he added.
Niaz pointed out that Pakistan’s batting lineup has suffered three golden ducks in the last five innings, while bowling combinations are flawed and selection lacks merit. He emphasized the urgent need to invest in tiered cricket structures at the U13 and U17 levels, and called for the creation of a professional cricketing system.
“You can’t turn big stars into coaches or selectors overnight. Cricket is an industry now, and we need to treat it like one,” he concluded.
