ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will indict former Prime Minister Imran Khan tomorrow, Thursday, in a contempt of court case involving accusations he threatened a woman judge last month.
During the last hearing of the case on September 8, the IHC said it was not satisfied with Khan’s response to charges he had threatened Zeba Chaudhry during an impassioned speech at an Islamabad rally on August 20.
A police report on the ex-premier’s speech at the rally quoted him as saying he “would not spare” Islamabad’s police chief and the female judge since he alleged that his chief of staff, Dr. Shahbaz Gill, had been tortured in police custody after his arrest on charges of sedition. Police and prison authorities deny the allegation.
In subsequent court hearings, Khan denied threatening the judge and in a written response, offered to take back his words if they were deemed “inappropriate” by the court.
“We have unanimously found the response of the respondent [Imran Khan] in the case unsatisfactory and charges will be framed [against him] after two weeks,” IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah had said after a three-hour hearing,on September 8.
According to a circular issued by the IHC, the contempt proceedings would take place at 02:30pm on Thursday.
“[The] Islamabad administration and police will make security arrangements to maintain decorum in court,” the circular stated.
Security will be beefed up within and outside the court premises, with the high court allowing only a 15-member legal team with Khan, 15 law officers and an equal number of journalists to cover proceedings of the case.
During the last hearing, Khan said he never meant to hurt the feelings of the female judge, adding that he “deeply regretted” if his statement had done so.
He requested the court to end the case against him, citing the Islamic principles of forgiveness and restraint.
