Contempt of court case: IHC orders to present Khan today

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered the authorities to present Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in court today (Thursday).

Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan of IHC heard the contempt of court case for not letting lawyers meet the founder PTI in prison, during which Faisal Chaudhry appeared in the court on behalf of the petitioner. Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Dogal also appeared before the court.

The court inquired, “Are you saying that the government can stop the administration of justice by a notification?” On which the State Council said that the court hearings were not being held, so they were not allowed the meeting.

The judge stated that the petitioner was saying that the court order had been violated through a notification. “I am not saying whether the notification is correct or not, for that he will have to file a separate petition, but despite the court order, refusal to meet is the violation of court order”.

Justice Sardar Ejaz inquired if the Punjab government has stopped the contempt of court, where is the notification?

The notification of the Punjab government was presented to the court, on which the learned judge said that this notification was from October 21 to 25, show the older one also. The court also ordered to present the report of the Interior Ministry and tell about the threats.

The State Council added that the ban was imposed after October 3 due to security threats. Justice Ijaz Ishaq said that the court does not accept security threats, even lawyers were not allowed to meet, this is contempt of court, what is your position now, follow the order today.

State Council further said that there is a notification till October 25. The judge said that this notification is a violation of his orders. These are sisters, not lawyers, why were the lawyers not allowed to meet? Can the Government stop the administration of justice by sealing a place by issuing a notification?

Judge Ijaz Ishaq said: “Mr AG, this is an insult to my orders. The Ministry of Interior has to explain. There are rules, why did the application come here? The Ministry of Interior had to come and tell about the security threat that even the lawyers could not go. The Interior Department issued orders on October 6 and 17, referring to the Home Ministry's letter.

The IHC ordered an online meeting of lawyers with Imran Khan, while the Additional Attorney General objected to the court order and said that the court could not pass such an order in a contempt of court case.

Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan said that you should make security arrangements and bring former Prime Minister Imran Khan to the court. The court asked the Superintendent of Adiala Jail if you do not bring Imran Khan then you will tell the reason and the security threat you are referring to, you have to satisfy the court in this regard.

The IHC has issued an order to present Imran Khan in the contempt of court case at 3:00pm today and said that bring him here, he will have a meeting with his lawyers.