Imran ‘unaware of ’ D-Chowk pledge

Tells SC he was unaware of any prior undertaking given by leadership

ISLAMABAD:

In a reply to the Supreme Court over a contempt of court plea, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and deposed prime minister Imran Khan maintained that he was unaware of any statement or undertaking having been submitted to the court on behalf of the “senior leadership” of the party ahead of its May 25 long march.

Last week, the apex court had directed Imran to submit a written response after examining the reports filed by the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

A five-judge larger bench of the apex court led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial will resume the hearing of the case on November 2.

Read Imran sees 'revolution' as PTI resumes long march from Kamoke on Day 4

Justice Yahya Afridi has already maintained that contempt proceedings should be initiated against the former prime minister.

In his written response, the PTI chief stated that he “was not aware of any statement or undertaking” having been made before the apex court on behalf of the “senior leadership of the PTI” or on his behalf during the course of May 25 nor of the details, including as regards the D-Chowk area, of the order passed by this Honourable Court around 6pm.

Imran also sought an extension until November 3 to “truthfully reconstruct the events” of the earlier march on the capital.

"Given the factual detail contained in the reports filed before this court, and the need to truthfully reconstruct the events of 25.05.2022, the answering respondent respectfully seeks an extension from this honourable court in the time allowed for filing a written reply in the titled matter. The time allowed for the filing of reply may kindly be extended till at least 03.11.2022".

Imran Khan has requested the SC to grant him further time to file a reply to the government's contempt petition.

Read more PM forms committee to hold talks with PTI over long march

Imran's counsels, Babar Awan and Chaudhry Faisal Hussain, also submitted their replies regarding the matter.

Chaudhry Faisal Hussain through his written statement stated that he was neither a party in this matter nor he has been arrayed as a party.

It is also important to set the record straight that neither the PTI nor its leaders were either party or represented by the undersigned. The undersigned took up the labour on the court’s call, the reply said.

"The Islamabad High Court Bar Association in the larger public interest filed a constitutional petition No.19/2022 alleging therein that the federal government with the help of the then provincial government of Punjab, let loose hell on the common citizens by making unlawful arrests, including of members of the legal fraternity, shelling and blocking the roads all across including the ICT.”

"The answering respondent along with other bar members, were also present in the courtroom in solidarity, with his Bar President Mr Shoaib Shaheen/the petitioner.”

It further added: “The answering respondent with utmost respect states that he was unable to communicate, meet or talk to Mr Imran Ahmed Khan, former Prime Minister of Pakistan and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, before and after the order passed by this honourable court on 25th of May 2022.  The answering respondent after the long march, for the first time, met him in the first week of June 2022 and not earlier.”

Meanwhile, Dr Babar Awan in his reply stated that the name of Imran Khan was neither mentioned by them during the hearing nor it is referred to in May 25 order.

Awan said that in compliance with the order, the government authorities did not facilitate their meeting with Imran Khan as he was stuck in Attock and his procession was under heavy shelling but this order was not complied by the government side.

"As a senior advocate Supreme Court, I showed reverence and respect to this court by putting my personal security at risk by 10 at night and went to the premises for the meeting of the Committee which was constituted and is referred to in paragraphs No.7 and 8 of the order dated 25.05.2022. But none turned up from the government's side to honour the order at the time fixed by this court," Mr Awan said in his reply.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that several senior lawyers, including Pakistan Bar Council executive members, would come to the courtroom on November 2 to express solidarity with both PTI lawyers.