Khan, sorry, not sorry? Court dismisses contempt notice against Imran

Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah on Monday dismissed a contempt notice against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan. The ontempt case against the PTI chief was initiated after his controversial remarks against Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Zeba Chaudhry at a public rally on August 20.

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 today.

Talking to reporters after the hearing, Imran said: “Justice Athar Minallah has taken great decisions [in the past].” He also said that he would appear before the court if needed as he had done in the past.

While announcing the verdict, the court discharged the contempt of court notice against Imran Khan.

Following the court’s verdict, the PTI chief said that the court has taken a “great decision”.

In response to the IHC verdict, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said that “fitna” has been forgiven.

“The contempt was committed and in front of the entire world. So instead of saying that the case has been dismissed, it would be more appropriate to say that fitna has been forgiven,” Maryam wrote on Twitter.

Khan submitted an affidavit to the IHC in a contempt of court case against him, saying he had realised he “Might have crossed a line” in his controversial remarks regarding Judge Zeba Chaudhry.

However, it is pertinent to mention that, for the third time, Khan avoided tendering an unconditional apology to the court.