Islamabad: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) has asked Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan to clarify in his reply matters related to May 25 rally till November 5 while the court said that as per the available content there should be notice to be served to Imran Khan but we are still providing a chance to him to clarify the matters.
A five-member SC larger bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi heard the interior ministry’s contempt of court case against former prime minister Imran Khan for violating apex court’s May 25 order wherein the PTI was restricted for its Azadi March near Peshawar Mor between the H-9 and G-9 sectors of Islamabad.
While SC Bar Association President Ahsan Bhoon appeared in the court.
Bhoon informed the court that he is representing PTI lawyers Babar Awan and Faisal Chaudhry, who had been served notices.
At this, CJP Bandial said that the court didn’t serve any notices but only sought replies from the two lawyers. He said that the court will hear the arguments by the government’s lawyer and the replies will be examined later.
During the hearing, Additional Attorney General Amir Rehman apprised that Imran Khan had ensured and according to his counsel Faisal Chaudhry the direction was taken from secretary general of the party Asad Umar.
To which, Justice Aijaz Ul Ahsan remarked that the counsels of Imran Khan never informed the court that leaders could not be contacted. The court had trusted the counsels over their assurance while for holding rally only H-9 park was told to the court. Justice Aijaz Ul Ahsan said that the PTI used the court orders in a wrong way.
The CJ remarked that the court was misled by the two counsels while the CJ said that for sake of 10 thousand people, lives of two lakh people can’t be made a hell.
Justice Umar Atta Bandiyal reminded that people were died in the ambulances owing to the Faizabad sit-in adding that the supporters of democracy not protested in this manner.
The CJ said that the court is showing immense patience, as per the available documents there should be notice to be served to the PTI chief Imran Khan. However, the court is still providing a chance for explanation.
The CJ ordered that the new respond of the PTI must be contained with signatures of Imran Khan. While the court also ordered the PTI counsel to present all the videos.
The court adjourned the hearing till November 5.