SC dismisses plea for contempt proceedings against Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by the federal government, seeking contempt proceedings against former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan for “violating” apex court’s orders during PTI’s Azadi March, ARY News reported.

A five-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, heard the petition which was filed by Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf.

At the outset of the hearing, Attorney-General of Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf read out the SC verdict before the court.

The attorney general also played a video recording of Imran’s address to his supporters. AGP Ausaf argued that Imran told his supporters the SC had granted permission to protest at D-Chowk.

To which, the CJP questioned what happened after the Imran Khan’s statement.

“Imran asked his workers to reach D-Chowk,” AGP replied.

” Maybe Imran Khan was not informed about the court’s decision or the message was not delivered to Imran Khan properly,” Chief Justice Bandial remarked.

The CJP said that they would issue a detailed judgment in the case later which would be an “example for the future”.

“We will issue the detailed verdict in the case which will serve as an example in the future,” CJP Bandial remarked and disposed of the petition against Imran Khan.

The Supreme Court today constituted a five-member larger bench to hear the contempt of court plea filed against former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan by the incumbent government.

The petition stated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan violated court orders and damaged state property during Islamabad long march.

The apex court earlier allowed PTI to stage a protest at Islamabad’s H-9 and stopped the government from carrying out raids on houses and offices.

The top court also directed releasing those lawyers who are not accused of serious criminal activities and issued orders to immediately release PTI workers under MPO. The interior ministry has been stopped from unnecessary use of force against the political workers.

Imran Khan gives six-day ultimatum to govt

Ousted prime minister and PTI chairman Imran Khan gave six-day ultimatum to the federal government to dissolve assemblies and announce fresh elections.

Addressing the participants of the ‘Azadi March’ at Jinnah Avenue, Imran Khan said the government tried every method to crush our march, they used teargas on peaceful protest, our homes were raided and privacy of the homes were violated.

Imran Khan said three PTI workers lost their lives in Karachi while two workers were thrown off Ravi Bridge and thousands of others were arrested.