Govt’s petition for contempt proceedings against Imran Khan dismissed

Govt’s petition for contempt proceedings against Imran Khan dismissed

Islamabad (Staff Report/Agencies): The Supreme Court on Thursday disposed of a petition seeking contempt proceedings against former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

A five-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, heard the petition filed by Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf against Imran Khan for violating the top court’s orders with regard to the PTI’s Azadi March.

CJP Bandial remarked that the court doesn’t want to continue hearing on the case and the decision will be given in a detailed judgement to be issued later.

On Wednesday, the top court has orders authorities concerned to review policies on road closures and provide an alternative venue for the PTI to hold its Azadi March.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Ahsan, and comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi heard a petition filed by Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) President Mohammad Shoaib Shaheen, seeking the removal of blockades in the capital ahead of the PTI’s long march.

The court ordered the Islamabad chief commissioner to provide an alternate site to the PTI for holding its Azadi March and issue a traffic plan for the protesters.

“Let them protest and then go home,” Justice Ahsan remarked and added, “We expect the government to remove barricades.” The court also directed the interior secretary and police to review their policies on road closures.

On the other hand, the Lahore police and the workers of the PTI clashed at Batti Chowk in Lahore on Wednesday as the protesters are trying to march towards Islamabad on the call of party chief Imran Khan.