ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday ordered PTI chief and former prime minister Imran Khan to follow law and obey rules during his party’s long march.
During the hearing of the contempt case against PTI Chief Imran Khan, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandia remarked that the Supreme Court used its authority in a cautious way, saying it initiated contempt proceedings only when its orders were flouted.
A five-judge larger bench of the Supreme Court headed by CJP Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, and Justice Mazahir Ali Naqvi heard the contempt of court case against former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Friday.
At the start of the hearing, the PTI’s counsel submitted a detailed reply from Imran in to the court.
To which, Chief Justice of Pakistan Bandial remarked that the court hoped the PTI chief must have submitted a reply based on truth and facts, adding the court could not issue any order at this juncture. He remarked that the court always used its authority carefully and initiated contempt proceedings only when its orders were disobeyed.
Lawyer Salman Aslam Butt, appeared in the court on behalf of the federal government, said that the government had submitted its reply in detail. He said jammers were not installed during the PTI long march on May 25. He contended that the tweets of PTI leaders were available posted on that day. He said how come it was possible to post a tweet if there were jammers, adding that the PTI leaders were also giving interviews to the media.
He said he submitted a USB to the court along with his reply which contained PTI leaders’ tweets records showing that jammers were not in place on that day. The chief justice remarked that he hoped that Imran’s lawyer would give a truthful reply regarding this assertion.
The court, however, allowed time to PTI lawyer Salman Akram Raja for submission of his reply.
During the hearing, the additional attorney general requested the court to bind the PTI to obey the law if it allowed the party to hold its rally. To this, the top judge remarked that there was already the May 25 court order available in this regard.
CJP Bandial said that he hoped that the PTI would act upon the law. He, however, ordered the party to obey rules.
After that, the court adjourned the hearing till next week.
IHC ASKS PTI TO FILE FRESH NOC PLEA FOR ISLAMABAD SIT-IN
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Friday asked Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to file a fresh NOC plea for a sit-in in the federal capital.
IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq took up the petitions filed by local traders and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf against and in favor of a long march and possible sit-in in Islamabad.
During the course of the hearing, PTI’s lawyer said that the plaintiff Ali Nawaz Awan is out of the city and will not be available in today’s hearing. To, this the Deputy Attorney General of Pakistan Fazlur Rehman Niazi said they were unaware of where they have to appear before the court. Niazi also gave a reference to the closure of motorways during the recent protest of PTI.
IHC CJ Aamer Farooq observed that the long march cannot be stopped and asked the PTI counsel to show some ‘responsibility’. He also directed the PTI to file a fresh NOC plea for a sit-in in Islamabad and added administration should ensure that roads are not blocked.
Later, the hearing was adjourned until November 22.
