ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan has told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that due to “serious misunderstanding and misconception” he misunderstood that female Judge Zeba Chaudhry was not a judicial officer but an executive magistrate performing executive functions on the federal government’s directions.
He said this in a written response to a show-cause notice issued to him by the IHC over his controversial remarks against the additional sessions judge.
He also regretted that a wrong impression was taken from his speech in which he had threatened to take action legal action against the judge for approving PTI leader Shahbaz Gill physical remand.
The former premier went on to say that the IHC has always shown restraint in such matters and allowed free speech.
The IHC last week issued a show-cause notice to the PTI chairman in contempt of court case over his remarks against the female judge and asked him to appear personally before the bench on August 31.
The court had issued a three-page written order and sent a notice to the attorney general for Pakistan for assistance in the case.
Imran’s controversial remarks against the judge were also made part of the written order.
“Magistrate Zeba sahiba, you should get ready. We will also take action against you. All of you should be ashamed of yourselves,” the IHC written order quoted Imran as saying.
Earlier this month, Imran while addressing a rally at Islamabad’s F-9 park alleged that Judge Zeba Chaudhry knew that incarcerated party leader Shahbaz Gill was tortured, but she did not release him on bail. He had threatened to take action against the judge and the Islamabad IGP and DIG.
The former premier was booked in a terrorism case on the complaint of Islamabad Saddar Magistrate Ali Javed for threatening the additional sessions judge.
The first information report (FIR) was lodged with the Margalla police station at 10pm. The FIR also carried Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
IHC issues circular regarding arrangements during hearing against Imran Khan
The registrar office of Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday issued a code of conduct in the line of arrangements during the contempt of court proceeding against PTI Chief Imran Khan on August 31.
The circular said that the entry into courtroom No.1 would be conditional on passes issued by the registrar’s office. Only fifteen journalists covering the court proceeding and five lawyers from the district bar and high court bar association would be allowed to enter.
The office asked Imran Khan’s legal team, lawyer bodies, attorney general office and advocate general office to submit a names list this day after which the passes would be issued.
It also instructed the ICT administration and police to arrange security measures for maintaining peace on the occasion.
It may be mentioned here that a five-member larger bench would take up the case tomorrow against Imran Khan for hearing at 2:30 pm.
