SC to hear contempt case against Imran on March 21

The Supreme Court on Saturday fixed the contempt of court petition against PTI founding chairman and former premier Imran Khan for hearing on March 21.

A five-member constitutional bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, will hear the case. The bench includes Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, Justice Hashim Khan Kakar and Justice Aamer Farooq.

The contempt petition was filed by the federal government regarding the PTI founder's decision to lead the May 25, 2022, long march to D-Chowk instead of the designated protest site.

During the last hearing, the court had sought a reply from the government on whether it intended to pursue the case further.

The PTI founder's legal counsel, Salman Akram Raja, has already submitted a response.

In 2022, the Supreme Court had allocated a specific ground for the long march, and PTI's legal representatives had assured compliance with the designated route. However, the march, led by the PTI founder, reached Jinnah Avenue on May 26, 2022, where it concluded. Protesters reportedly set trees near D-Chowk on fire during the demonstration.

Meanwhile, the constitutional bench which will be hearing important cases from March 17-21. These include cases related to stone crushing, sanitation workers' rights, pension and benefits for the widow of the late judge Arshad Malik, as well as a suo motu notice on deaths caused by pneumonia and hepatitis.