Pakistan's Federal Constitutional Court has confirmed that its earlier directive cautioning against any law and order disruption in a case involving the alleged 'Imran Khan Release Force' remains active. The ruling came during a hearing on Tuesday, as the court also deferred further proceedings until after the summer recess. Main Developments A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan made the observation after petitioner's counsel Ali Nawaz Kharral requested an extension of the earlier order, citing fears that respondents might create a law and order situation. The chief justice responded by clarifying that the earlier directions were not limited to Tuesday's hearing but continued to remain effective. During the proceedings, Advocate Ali Bukhari, representing PTI leaders, sought time to submit a power of attorney and a reply on behalf of PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja. Bukhari informed the court that he had been engaged that morning to represent the PTI secretary general, in addition to representing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. The court accepted the request and adjourned further proceedings until after the summer vacation. Read also: Balochistan Jirga Called to Address Rising Insecurity and Attacks Chief Minister Afridi had submitted a reply on Monday categorically denying the existence of any armed structure or paramilitary setup. He maintained that the Imran Khan Rehayi Aman Movement was a peaceful, unarmed, and voluntary civic initiative aimed at raising awareness about due process of law. Background The case stems from a petition filed by Malik Zaheer Ahmed, who challenged the legal status of the movement. Ahmed argued that forming a force to secure the release of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan violated the Constitution and posed a threat to public order. In his petition, Ahmed contended that the chief minister's announcement regarding the proposed force violated the constitutional oath he took as an MPA and chief minister. He argued that although no such force had been formally established, the public announcement created fear, uncertainty, and unrest among the public. The KP chief minister's response stated that the alleged Imran Khan Rehai Force had neither been constituted, notified, nor operationalised at any stage. It further argued that any earlier reference to the term 'force,' if misunderstood, had no legal or factual basis. According to the reply, the initiative was a peaceful political movement intended to promote awareness of due process and the state's responsibility to ensure fairness in criminal prosecutions. Why It Matters The court's decision to keep its earlier order in force underscores the judiciary's concern over potential law and order implications stemming from political mobilisation. The case highlights tensions between the state's constitutional framework and political movements seeking the release of a jailed former prime minister. The ruling also reinforces the legal boundaries around public announcements of paramilitary-style initiatives, even if they are not formally operationalised. For PTI supporters and the general public, the case raises questions about the limits of political expression and the government's responsibility to maintain public order. What's Next The court has deferred further hearing on the main petition until after the summer vacation. In a separate case related to the May 10, 2023 attack on Radio Pakistan Peshawar, the same bench directed respondents to file concise statements within two weeks. Chief Minister Afridi is among the accused in that case. The court also ordered that its earlier stay restraining the Special Judge of the Anti-Terrorism Court-III, Peshawar, from proceeding with the trial would continue. That stay was granted on a petition filed by the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, which sought transfer of the case from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad or another province, citing alleged political pressure and executive interference.