Islamabad: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan appeared in the High Court and apologized in the contempt of court case for threatening a female judge, after which the court postponed the process of indicting Imran Khan.
A larger bench of 5 judges headed by Chief Justice Athar Minullah heard the case, in which the court accepted Imran Khan’s apology and decided to postpone the contempt proceedings. While starting the hearing, the court called Imran Khan to the rostrum. The Chief Justice remarked that today we will only read the charge. On this occasion, Imran Khan’s lawyer said that Imran Khan wanted to talk about the previous hearing. Imran Khan told the court that my 26 years of effort is for the rule of law. Except me, no one talks about the rule of law in the meetings.
If you want me to go to the lady judge, I am ready to apologize, former prime minister
Imran Khan told the court that if you want, I will go to the female judge. I am ready to apologize. What I said was not intentional.
You realized the mistake, the court appreciates, Chief Justice
Islamabad High Court after hearing Imran Khan’s statement of apology, postponed the process of indictment and directed Imran Khan to submit an affidavit. The Chief Justice remarked that we appreciate it. Which should not have happened. If you realize the mistake, the court appreciates it.
Later, the court ordered Imran Khan to submit an affidavit in the light of the statement and adjourned the hearing of the case and the indictment proceedings against Imran Khan till October 3. The court said that we are stopping the criminal proceedings.
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Earlier, court assistant Munir A. Malik and Imran Khan’s lawyer Hamid Khan had reached the court. Imran Khan got up from his seat and sat with the lawyer. Meanwhile, the discussion between lawyer Salman Safdar and Imran Khan continued regarding the case.
The courts have not lost their lives yet, Chairman PTI
Before the hearing, Imran Khan reached the court, on this occasion, the former prime minister replied that he would see when he was asked to apologize by the journalist. Speaking to the journalist, Imran Khan said that the entire police force has been deployed. It became difficult for us to get in. A journalist asked if you will ask for a conditional or unconditional apology. To which Imran Khan replied that you will find out. The journalist asked that when will your life be cut off from the courts? So Imran Khan said that it has not started missing yet.
A 5-member larger bench of the High Court heard the case
In addition to the Chief Justice, the larger bench of Islamabad High Court hearing the case of intimidation against a woman judge included Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri and Justice Babar Sattar.
Earlier, the entry of lawyers, law officers and journalists in the courtroom to participate in the hearing was subject to an entry pass, while speakers were installed in the press room of the court on the instructions of the Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court, so that the case could be heard. The audio of the proceedings will be heard live in the press room. Besides, special speakers were also installed in the bar room, with the aim of reducing the rush in the courtroom.
Strict security arrangements on the occasion of contempt of court hearing
Ahead of the hearing of the case, tight security arrangements were made inside and outside the High Court, while security was tightened by the government last night to deal with any untoward incident, under which important routes and sensitive places were cordoned off. But a heavy security force was deployed.
It should be noted that in the case of contempt of court for threatening a female judge, the Islamabad High Court termed both the answers of Chairman PTI Imran Khan as unsatisfactory and fixed September 22 as the date for indicting him.
