Contempt case: IHC gives Imran seven days to submit reply

Islamabad: Islamabad High Court (IHC), Wednesday, asked the counsel of Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan to submit reply within seven days contempt of court case. The case was adjourned till September 8.

According to details, a five-member bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, and Justice Babar Sattar will hear the case.

At the outset of the hearing, Imran Khan’s attorney Hamid Khan read out a written reply he submitted to the court a day earlier on the behalf of former Prime Minister.

In his reply, Khan signaled readiness to withdraw the controversial judge remarks— regretting that a wrong impression was taken from PTI leader’s speech. He, however, stopped short of offering an unconditional apology.

"I didn’t expect that you (Hamid Khan) would come up with such retort,” the IHC CJ Minallah said in response to the reply.  

“A political party should always believe in upholding the law and the constitution,” IHC CJ said, adding that "In last 70 years, a common man has not been able to make it to the high courts and the Supreme Court".  

The chief justice, then, asked whether it was appropriate for a person with Imran Khan’s stature to do what he did.

“Words uttered through one's tongue cannot be taken back,” remarked Justice Minallah—expressing disappointment that he hoped that Khan would boost the court's confidence. 

“Being a renowned and massively followed figure, you [Imran Khan] should think before speaking,” he said, adding that he thought that PTI chairman would understood that he has done something wrong. 

At the last hearing, the cricketer-turned politician was summoned by the court in his personal capacity—issuing him a show-cause notice.

Proceedings initiated against former Prime Minister for his controversial remarks about district and sessions female judge Zeba Chaudhry, who had approved his chief of staff, Shahbaz Gill’s physical remand in a sedition case. 

Islamabad police said that “special security plan” had been devised for the court ahead of the hearing.

Reportedly, only individuals with permission from the IHC were allowed on the court’s premises.

Officials also issued special passes for journalists and lawyers, while a bomb disposal squad (BDS) cleared the courtroom. 

Moreover, 500 short-range and an additional 500 long-range armored vehicles were stationed carrying tear gas shells.

Furthermore, at least a thousand junior rank officers and officials have been deployed around the IHC premises.

Khan was booked on Sunday under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The bench reviewed whether remarks made by ex-PM Imran Khan about the judiciary justify undertaking a contempt of court case or not.  

The court also issued a notice to the attorney general of Pakistan.

Contempt of Court Case 

While addressing a rally at Islamabad's F-9 park, Imran Khan alleged that Judge Zeba Chaudhry knew that incarcerated party leader Shahbaz Gill was tortured, but she did not release him on bail.

Khan had then said she [the judge] should brace herself for 'consequences'. 

The PTI leader also threatened to take action against the Islamabad IG and DIG police.

Following this Pakistan's federal minister for information and broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb stated that the coalition government is least interested in "wasting time" by putting cricketer-turned politician behind the bars, for threatening the judiciary and a top cop as authorities step up probe after the Imran Khan's remarks on judiciary, Election Commission and the government - during a speech last week.