IHC decides to discharge contempt notice against Imran Khan

IHC CJ says court is satisfied with PTI chairman’s conduct.

IHC decides to discharge contempt notice against Imran Khan. Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday accepted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief’s apology in contempt of court case.

A larger bench, headed by IHC Cheif Justice Athar Minallah and comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, and Justice Babar Sattar heard the case and discharged contempt notice against Imran Khan.

At the outset of today’s hearing, CJ Minallah said that the bench has seen the affidavit submitted by Imran Khan.

“Imran Khan demonstrated honesty and went to apologise to the judge,” he remarked, adding that discharging the contempt notice is the bench’s unanimous decision.

Justice Minallah also stated that the court is also “satisfied” with Imran Khan’s conduct.

Former prime minister Imran Khan had submitted the affidavit in the contempt of court case against him for allegedly threatening a judge.

Imran Khan, in the latest response, although mentioned that he “might have crossed a red line while making a public speech”, fell short of apologizing for his remarks.

Khan assured the IHC that he would “never do anything in future” that would hurt the dignity of any court and the judiciary, especially the lower judiciary.

The PTI chairman added that he is willing to take any further steps that the IHC deems necessary and that he never intended to interfere with the process of the court or impugn the dignity or independence of the judiciary.

The former chief executive said that he stands by his September 22 statement and “once again assure[s] this court that he would always abide by the afore-referred statement, in letter and spirit”.