PTI Long March Case: KP Advocate General Challenges Court's Jurisdiction
Mian Nadeem Published September 11, 2026 | 01:48 PM
Issuing directions to other provinces is beyond the jurisdiction of the current court, argued Shah Faisal, citing previous decisions where cases were not heard due to a lack of jurisdiction.
Hearing Heats Up
A heated exchange took place between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Advocate General Shah Faisal and the petitioner’s lawyer during the hearing of a petition against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march.
Shah Faisal stated that the petitioner had not presented arguments, while the Attorney General had argued on their behalf. The petitioner's lawyer objected, claiming: "I presented the arguments; he is making a highly inappropriate remark."
As the petitioner’s lawyer repeatedly interrupted him, KP advocate general responded: "I protest; he is repeatedly stopping me." Justice Sarfraz Dogar, heading the bench, observed that the lawyer's arguments were recorded in the order issued at the initial hearing.
Questioning Jurisdiction
The KP government also disputed the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that if Islamabad High Court’s jurisdiction extended across Pakistan, why did the law only refer to Islamabad?
Shah Faisal pointed out several Islamabad High Court judgments where cases weren't heard due to a lack of jurisdiction. He stated that although the petitioner had filed a public interest petition, the Attorney General had argued on their behalf rather than the petitioner’s lawyer.
The lawyer countered by stating he had completed his arguments at the first hearing.
Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar reminded him: "You must have read my order; it contains the arguments of the petitioner’s lawyer." The KP advocate general apologized, acknowledging that he had understood the Attorney General was arguing on behalf of the petitioner.
He maintained that while they respected all courts, including subordinate courts, the Islamabad High Court's jurisdiction was limited to Islamabad. He argued that the court could not issue directions to officials in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, or Balochistan.
Shah Faisal further added that he had intended to appear before the court with complete documents but relevant documents were not received on time. He insisted that before the establishment of the Islamabad High Court, its jurisdiction fell under the Lahore High Court. Issuing directions to other provinces was beyond the current court’s jurisdiction, he stressed.