PTI chief hires UK lawyer to move international courts

PTI Chairman Imran Khan has hired British barrister Geoffrey Ronald Robertson to represent him in international courts in cases related to “unlawful detention and human rights abuses,” the party said on Saturday as it quote-retweeted a statement from the British law firm.

However, PTI’s official handle @PTIofficial deleted the quote-retweet when PMLN leader Attaullah Tarar and others claimed the move by Khan meant the party had moved international courts against the state of Pakistan.

Some social media users took screenshots of the tweet before it was deleted.

The statement was a slightly modified version of the tweet by law firm Doughty Street Chambers. The same tweet was retweeted by PTI leader Shahbaz Gill late Friday night.

Geoffrey Robertson “is a Founding Head of Doughty Street Chambers. He has had a distinguished career as a trial and appellate counsel, an international judge, and author of leading textbooks. His books include Crimes Against Humanity and The Struggle for Global Justice,” the PTI said in a second tweet which was also deleted.

PMLN leader Attaullah Tarar held a press conference and launched an attack against the PTI.

He recalled that Geoffrey Robertson had served Salman Rushdie in the past in a case involving his most controversial book, Satanic Verses. “Did you find only this lawyer in the whole world? Geoffrey Robertson says he sheltered Rushdie in his house. One gives shelter in the house to whom one is attached,” said Tarar.

He also questioned PTI’s motive behind the move. “Are you going to the International Court against this country and the state?”