Imran Khan again fails to tender ‘unconditional apology’ in contempt case

PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday submitted his affidavit to the Islamabad High Court in the contempt proceedings but the former premier again remained short of submitting an unconditional apology, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

He said that he would fully act on what he assured the court during its previous hearing. He also said that he was ready to do whatever else the court would ask him to do in order to satisfy it.

He said during the case proceedings, he came to realize that may be he had crossed the red line. 

“If the judge (Zeba Chaudhry) has got the impression that I have crossed the red line, then I am ready to apologize. I had no intention to threaten the judge,” Imran said explaining that by ‘action’ he meant ‘legal action’. 

He said he fought for the freedom of judiciary for 26 years. He said in future he won’t say anything which would hurt the dignity of judiciary especially the lower judiciary.

Following this, the IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah said that the court would record the PTI chief's statement and told Imran to submit an affidavit. "Submit an affidavit detailing what you have said," the IHC CJ said.

"It is your personal decision as to visit the judge in person," the IHC said. "If you have realised [your] mistake and ready to apologise for it [...] that is enough," the court remarked.

The hearing was subsequently adjourned till October 3 with the court directing the PTI chief to submit an affidavit within a week.

The Islamabad High Court started contempt proceedings against Imran Khan for uttering threatening words against sessions judge Zeba Chaudhry during a public rally in Islamabad on Aug 20. The judge had granted physical remand of PTI leader Shahbaz Gill. 

The court summoned Imran on August 31 and subsequently issued him a show-cause notice.

A day before the hearing, the former prime minister submitted a reply before the IHC wherein he expressed his willingness to “take back” his words about the judge if they were “regarded as inappropriate” and pleaded before the IHC that the judges who had agreed to initiate the case against him should consider withdrawing themselves from the bench as, according to him, they had pre-judged the matter.

However, the IHC had deemed the response to be “unsatisfactory” and asked the PTI chief to submit a “well-considered” response.

Following this, Imran submitted a fresh reply in the court. In the revised response, however, Imran stopped short of rendering an unconditional apology. He stated that “I have a profound regard and respect for this honourable court and its subordinate courts and judge”.

On September 8, the IHC decided to Indict Imran, once again calling his response “unsatisfactory”.

However, the IHC on Sept 22 deferred contempt proceedings against Imran Khan after he expressed his willingness to apologise to Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry.

In compliance with the court orders, the PTI chief appeared on Friday before the court of Judge Zeba Chaudhry to apologise to her personally in the threat case. 

However, Judge Zeba was not present in the court as she was on leave, at which Imran addressed the reader and the stenographer and asked them to tell the judge that Imran came to tender apology to her.

Reporter Ehtisham Kiyani