The Supreme Court rejected Thursday the federal government’s petition to issue an interim order against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan in the contempt of court case for not following the court’s orders to stop his party’s planned long march towards Islamabad.

A five-member larger bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, and Justice Mazahir Ali Naqvi, heard the contempt of court petition filed by the Ministry of Interior against the PTI chief over the May 25 march.

However, the court told the government to take necessary measures to manage the law and order situation but in accordance with the law.

Earlier the coalition government moved the apex court, stating that Imran Khan was making announcements regarding the long march to the capital in violation of a court order and requested the Supreme Court to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the PTI chief for not following the court May 25 orders.

The government in its petition also requested the court for a restraining order against the PTI chief from creating a perceived law and order situation ahead of the long march.

The interior ministry claimed that the PTI chief flouted the court’s May 25 directions and persisted in exhorting the PTI activists and supporters to reach the capital.

During today’s hearing, the Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf told the court that Imran Khan held a press conference on October 18 in which he was inciting people and students and calling his party’s long march a ‘Jihad’.

CJ Bandial remarked that the court orders had already been violated, and directed the government to counter the PTI’s long march towards the federal capital but in accordance with the law.

Justice Omar Atta Bandial further said that on May 25, 13 people were injured, public property was damaged, but there was no case registered, and that the reports would be reviewed in this matter.

The court adjourned the hearing on the contempt petition till October 26.