The Islamabad High Court (IHC) let Imran Khan off the hook for the time being in the contempt of court case. After Imran told the court he was willing to apologize to judge Zeba Chaudhry, the former premier asked the court to forgive him.
The case had been filed against former prime minister Imran Khan for making a threat against a court judge last month, for allowing PTI member Shahbaz Gill to remain in custody.
A larger bench of five judges headed by IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah presided over the case. The bench also included Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb, Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri, and Justice Babar Sattar.
The court was scheduled to read the charges today, but Imran’s lawyer Hamid Khan requested the same thing again, so the PTI chairman was allowed to speak.
Imran says that he speaks of the rule of law in political rallies alone, and has done so for 26 years.
Imran pleaded for forgiveness for what he said. “If you want me to go to the female judge and apologise,” he said, “I am prepared to do it.” “What I said was unintentional.”
He said he is sorry for crossing a line and promised not to do it again.
In this regard, the court said that it had not been aiming to commence a contempt of court action against the PTI leader. “The case was under hearing, that is why we began the proceedings against contempt of court,” CJ Mohallah said.
The CJ said that what happened should not have occurred and that it is unfortunate. He added that, for him, the only concern is the lower courts, and Imran must file an affidavit regarding the matter in a week.
He continued, “That is up to you. We are not telling you what you should and should not say.”
However, the court also stated that “if you have recognised your mistake, the court appreciates it”.
Earlier, the high court had ruled that both Imran’s supplementary replies in the reference were unsatisfactory and set September 22 as the date to indict him.
On August 20, Imran had criticized the judge who had approved Shahbaz Gill’s physical remand in a sedition case.
However, Judge Minallah said that “it is not appropriate for us to take action against contempt of court” after Imran Khan’s statements in court on Thursday (today).
An order was passed on September 19 directing Imran to submit an affidavit in which he would express his willingness to apologise to the judge concerned and adjourned the proceedings until October 3.
Strict security measures had been taken
Strict security arrangements were made prior to the hearing, security was increased in various areas of the federal capital to deal with any potential untoward situation. The number of personnel deployed at sensitive places and important routes was increased.
Lawyers, law officers, and journalists were allowed to enter the courtroom via entry passes, while the registrar of the high court also permitted them to listen to audio cases in the press room and bar room.
Imran was allowed to use a 15-member legal team, 15 law officers from the attorney general and advocate general offices, three court assistants and 15 court reporters in the courtroom.
