The chief justice of the Islamabad High Court, Athar Minallah, has stated that Imran Khan cannot retract his statements and that his written response has personally disappointed him.
Wednesday during contempt proceedings, the IHC Chief Justice stated, “The subordinate courts are the courts of the common man.”
Justice Athar Minallah added, “I am particularly dissatisfied by Imran’s written response. I anticipated that Imran Khan would accept his error. The spoken words cannot be recalled.”
He observed “Imran Khan is followed by a big number of people, therefore whatever he says should be said with caution. Imran Khan’s written statement did not reflect this.”
The chief justice stated that the issue was between the court and the individual who committed contempt of court.
The top judge reminded Imran Khan’s attorney that this court has been discussing torture for the past four years, but his client was unaware of his actions.
He stated, “The disappearance of citizens is the most heinous form of torture, and this court has referred all such cases to the federal cabinet.” Unfortunately, you have highlighted this ‘torture issue’ with the same mindset throughout your administration.”
The subordinate courts’ confidence would have skyrocketed if Imran Khan had visited them to express his confidence in them, the chief justice stated.
Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, Imran Khan appeared before the Islamabad High Court to attend the proceedings of the contempt case against him.
The contempt of court case brought against Imran Khan was heard by a larger bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), led by Chief Justice (CJ) Justice Athar Minallah.
Imran, who had already responded to the court’s show-cause notice, came to court in person.
Justice Muhsin Akhtar Kiani, Justice Babar Sattar, and Justice Tariq Mehsud Jahangiri were the other judges on the court.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has presented to the court a transcript of Imran’s remarks made against a female extra sessions judge during the PTI rally held at F-9 Park in Islamabad on August 20, 2022.
The IHC has also sent a request for assistance to the attorney general of Pakistan (AGP).
In his speech, the PTI chairman remarked, “Get Magistrate sahiba Zeba ready for action. All of you responsible for holding party leader Shahbaz Gill in jail should be embarrassed,” he had remarked.
