Friday, August 2, 2013

Contempt hearing: Imran Khan's counsel seeks time to furnish detailed reply

The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing of contempt of court notice against Imran Khan till 11:30 AM today. The bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaundy, Justice Jawad S Khuwaja and Justice Azmat Saaed was hearing the case. During the course of proceedings, Imran Khan s Attorney Hamid Khan says that his client has not tried to malign the court. He believes in the supremacy and independence of the court, he added. Earlier, Hamid Khan said that he would verbally present the case for initially, and would submit the written reply afterwards. A short statement of the PTI leader Imran Khan has been presented in the court. The Chief Justice has said that as institution, none is above the judiciary. Justice Jawad S Khwaja observed the mutual respect must be taken care of. The CJP said that court has overseen the issue of thumb impressions in the four constituencies. Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has arrived in Supreme Court (SC) for contempt of court hearing against him. The PTI chief was being accompanied by senior party leaders including Javed Hashmi. Talking to media before leaving for SC, Imran Khan reiterated that May 11 elections were the most rigged elections in the history of Pakistan, adding that he will not apoligise for any of his comments. Khan said he was only seeking justice as a citizen of Pakistan, adding that he has the right to seek justice from the Supreme Court over the alleged rigging during the May 11, 2013 elections. Asked that if the court convicted him of contempt of court and sentenced him, would he accept the sentence or term it a conspiracy to disqualify him, Imran said he was ready for the punishment and would maintain his stance till the end. The SC issued him notice to appear before it on August 2 and explain as to why contempt of court proceedings may not be initiated against him. Khan had criticized the role of the top court and the Election Commission of Pakistan in the conduct of the recently held general election, which saw Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N emerging as the single largest party in the National Assembly. Sources in the PTI said that Imran Khan spent a busy day on Thursday with his legal advisors for consultation over the imminent proceedings in the court. Khan, who appeared defiant ahead of the hearing, said that he would not extend apology over his stance and would stand firm as he was struggling for the democracy in Pakistan.

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