Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson Rauf Hasan has claimed that imprisoned PTI founder chairman Imran Khan has opposed the prospect of securing any relief by presidential authority on Tuesday.
Talking to the publication, PTI Information Secretary Raoof Hasan stated that even if the president possesses the authority granted by the Constitution to pardon any court-issued sentence, former Prime Minister Imran Khan would never accept such a pardon.
He stated that numerous groups, including those on social media, are urging President Alvi to pardon Imran Khan’s punishments. Rauf Hassan stated that Imran Khan has conveyed to the President not to pardon the punishments in light of such demands.
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He stated that the party’s founding chairman would not acknowledge such an apology.
The President possesses the authority to grant pardons to convicted criminals under Article 45 of the Constitution, which specifies that the President may commute sentences imposed by competent authorities such as courts, tribunals, or other bodies.
While a consensus among constitutional and legal scholars holds that the President’s authority to pardon or suspend an individual’s sentence is contingent upon the Prime Minister’s recommendation, an opposing viewpoint asserts that the President is both capable and obligated to exercise this power voluntarily. The Prime Minister’s recommendation is not mandatory.
PTI spokesperson stated that the President’s authority to grant pardons is not constrained in any way. Additionally, he stated that chiefs of state from every nation possess the authority to commute, pardon, or suspend the sentence of any criminal.
Following the victory of candidates supported by the PTI in the general elections, PTI supporters have begun urging the president to pardon the sentences of Imran Khan. PTI legal team representing Imran Khan and his wife have already challenged all three sentences before the Islamabad High Court.