The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan was the target of a contempt of court notice from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for allegedly threatening Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry. The notice was dismissed, marking a significant development.
The contempt case against Imran Khan was heard by a larger panel of five judges, which included IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, Justices Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, and Justice Babar Sattar.
During the hearing, IHC CJ Justice Minallah observed that the bench was satisfied with the apology and the conduct of Imran Khan. “The former premier demonstrated honesty and went to apologise”, he added.
The five-member bench released Imran Khan from the contempt of court order as it delivered the decision.
It is important to note that the previous prime minister threatened Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry and filed an affidavit at the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
Imran Khan pledged in his affidavit to abide by the declaration he made during the previous hearing before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on September 22. If the judges feel that I crossed a line, I am willing to apologise, he continued.
Imran Khan continued by claiming that he has spent the last 26 years fighting for the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. He also claimed that the speech did not have any threats intended for the judge.
The PTI leader gave the court his word that going forward he would refrain from taking any action that would diminish the stature of any court or the judiciary, particularly the lower court system.
Additionally, he stated that he was ready to take whatever additional actions the IHC “considers necessary and suitable for its satisfaction that he never intended to interfere in the court’s process or impugn the dignity or independence of the judiciary.”
The affidavit was submitted a day after the former premier appeared before an Islamabad lower court to personally apologise to Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry, who was not present there at the time.
IHC decides against indicting Imran Khan
The IHC decided not to file charges against Imran Khan in the contempt of court case against him during the most recent hearing on September 22.
Imran Khan’s contempt case was postponed by the IHC after the former prime minister indicated to Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry that he was willing to apologise.
The former premier clarified that he didn’t mean to intimidate the female judge. He added that he was prepared to personally apologise to the judge if the court ordered it and that he would not do anything like again.
After upon, IHC CJ Athar Minallah said that initiating a contempt case would not be appropriate. In light of Imran Khan’s statement before the court, the judge ordered him to produce an affidavit.
The IHC decided not to file charges against Imran Khan in the contempt of court case against him during the most recent hearing on September 22.
Imran Khan’s contempt case was postponed by the IHC after the former prime minister indicated to Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry that he was willing to apologise.
The former premier clarified that he didn’t mean to intimidate the female judge. He added that he was prepared to personally apologise to the judge if the court ordered it and that he would not do anything like again.
Arrest warrants
Imran Khan’s pre-arrest bail was allowed by the Islamabad High Court the day before, following the issuance of an arrest order for the former premier in connection with his controversial comments about Zeba Chaudhry.
In the complaint filed on August 20 due to the PTI chief’s comments against Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry, the magistrate issued arrest warrants against him.
Four PPC sections—506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), 504 (intentional insult with purpose to incite breach of peace), 189 (threat to injure public servant), and 188—are included in the FIR (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant).
