IHC to indict Imran Khan in contempt case on September 22

 Five member larger bench of IHC decided to indict Imran Khan after hearing the argument in contempt case  

Five member larger bench of Islamabad High Court (IHC) led by IHC Chief Justice has decided to indict PTI chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan in contempt case on September 22.  The IHC declared Imran Khan’s reply in contempt case unsatisfactory. The larger bench heard the arguments from Imran Khan’s lawyer Hamid Khan. The IHC initiated contempt case against Imran Khan for his controversial remarks about a female judge during a public rally in Islamabad on August 20.

The five-member bench headed by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah and also comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangir, and Justice Babar Sattar, heard the case.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan appeared before the IHC amid tight security in the contempt case lodged against him for his controversial remarks about a female judge during the party’s rally in Islamabad on August 20. He appeared before the court in his personal capacity.

At the outset of the hearing, Imran Khan's lawyer Hamid Khan started arguments, saying that he agrees with the observation given by the court at the last hearing and wants to put precise requests before the court.

"We want to wind up this matter," he said, informing the court that a detailed reply has been submitted.

Expressing his displeasure over the reply submitted by Imran Khan, the CJ asked can the former prime minister give an excuse for his ignorance.

“The offence is very serious which has not been realised,” remarked Justice Minallah, saying they only have to look at the law.

At this, Hamid Khan said that they have realised, hence, they mentioned it in their written response.

Declaring subordinate judiciary a ‘red line’, Justice Minallah warned that threatening a district judge is a more serious offence than a Supreme Court’s judge.

During the proceedings, Justice Babar Sattar said that the leader [Imran Khan] did not express any regret for his derogatory remarks about a female judge and he was constantly justifying his action which is like a threat.

During the proceedings, Attorney General for Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf Ali said that Imran Khan was trailed in a contempt court in 2014.

The same charges were leveled against him and the same procedure was adopted, however, he was pardoned later. Imran Khan did not submit his affidavit in the case, the attorney general said, adding that his reply has no value.

Referring to his speeches in public rallies, Ausaf said that he named the female judge even in his party’s second public meeting. Imran Khan had submitted an affidavit in the SC, assuring the court that he will not make derogatory remarks against the judiciary in the future.

 “One again, the person standing in the court under the same charges,” the AGP said and asked if he think that he would be pardoned again and again. The suspect involved in the contempt of court case did not express regret for his derogatory remarks, he added.

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