Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that he apologizes if he crossed any line.
Speaking to the court, Khan said, “Mai khaatoon judge se zaati taur pe maafi maangta hoon,” (I personally apologize to the female judge).
“I assure the court that I will not do something like this in the future,” he added.
Khan was attending proceedings of a contempt of court case today (Thursday), for his controversial remarks about Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry during a rally in Islamabad on August 20. The former Prime Minister said that he will personally apologise to the the female judge.
The IHC was expected to formally indict him today.
Following this, the IHC CJ remarked that it would not be appropriate to conduct contempt proceedings. The court decided to not indict the PTI chief after he agreed to apologise to Judge Chaudhry and the hearing was subsequently adjourned.
The court also directed the PTI chief to submit an affidavit.
As he made his way inside the court along with party leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Umar and Shibli Faraz, Imran was surrounded by reporters asking questions. However, he chose to stay silent when asked whether or not he would tender an unconditional apology, answering only with a smile.
On a lighter note, he remarked that he would become an “expert” due to the sheer number of cases registered against him.
The IHC in a circular had stated that the proceedings of the case will start at 2:30pm, during which a larger bench of the IHC will frame the charges against Khan.
“A 15-member legal team of Imran Khan, 15 law officers from the office of the attorney-general and advocate-general will be allowed to enter the courtroom,” read the circular.
“Imran Khan’s response was unsatisfactory,” said IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, in the last hearing.
Justice Minallah observed that Khan’s replies to the court’s show-cause notice appeared to be “Justifying contempt of the judiciary” and showed “No remorse or regret”.
