ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has refused to take contempt of court action against PTI Chairman Imran Khan for violating the apex court’s orders during ‘Azadi March’.
The government filed the plea this morning after the PTI openly defied the apex court’s directives, announcing to hold a rally at D-Chowk in Islamabad’s prohibited Red Zone.
The SC formed a five-member larger bench, headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, to hear the contempt of court plea At the outset of the hearing, Attorney-General of Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf read out the SC verdict before the court.
The court dismissed a petition filed by the federal government, saying that activists were not responsible as they act on the directives of party leadership. It also ordered the release of 20 activists who were booked for rioting and violence.
A day earlier, the Supreme Court ordered the federal government and the PTI to constitute respective negotiating committees and meet at 10pm on Wednesday to finalise modalities for a peaceful long march to the capital.
The committees were to meet at the Islamabad chief commissioner’s office. The negotiations were not held as both sides claimed the other had not shown up.
It also ordered the government to designate a spot in H-9 where the protesters could rally but protesters converged on D-Chowk.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said Imran had “misled” the Supreme Court by taking permission for holding the rally at a specific place in the capital (sector H-9) but later announced it would be held at D-Chowk.
“Imran kept defying the SC orders and committing contempt of court from his container all night,” he added.
Sanaullah called on the apex court to give clear directions for establishing the writ of the state and the Constitution so the “chaotic group” could be expelled from Islamabad.
He clarified that police did not fire a single rubber bullet. Eighteen personnel of Rangers and police sustained serious injuries while ensuring protection to the lives and property of the citizen, he added.
