Imran Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), responded to the exhibit notice issued by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for intimidating a decision-maker on Wednesday by submitting a supplementary answer in which he expressed “deep regrets” for his “unintentional utterances” during a rally in Islamabad on August 20.
The former prime minister was grateful for the court’s observations expressed during the final hearing and for the opportunity to offer a “well-considered” reply.
Following the PTI chairman’s contentious comments regarding Zeba Chaudhry, the district and times judge who had granted his chief of staff Shahbaz Gill’s physical detention in a sedition case, a terror case was brought against him.
The IHC also took notice of the situation and called the PTI chairman to appear before it on August 31. IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah, together with Justices Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, and Babar Sattar, heard the case before a five-member bench.
Imran Khan’s early response has angered ICH Chief Justice Athar Minallah, who claimed that he was hoping Imran would acknowledge making an error in his Answer.
He had seven days to respond to the discovery in a “well-considered” manner.
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The PTI chairman remarked in his response that the observations made have provided a great opportunity to reflect on the important aspects of the situation that have a great influence on the rule of law and the impartial administration of justice in Pakistan.
He told the IHC that he has the utmost respect and esteem for this court, as well as its subordinate courts and judges, who are dispensing justice to the common man in extremely difficult situations.
Imran Khan claimed that he never intended to hurt her feelings and that he is really sorry if he did. “The Respondent never intended to intimidate the female judge and never had the thought to do so. In order to deliver justice to the ordinary man, judges of the Subordinate/District court should be powerful and independent, according to the response. The Respondent respects the judiciary, particularly the Subordinate judiciary.
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He also gave the IHC his word that he would not hesitate to apologise to her. The PTI leader further accused the ruling coalition of politicking the issue. He claimed that he was unaware that any appeal or other legal action involving the same subject matter was currently under consideration by this court.
He requested that the court dismiss the contempt notice that had been issued to him.