The Supreme Court rejected Wednesday the federal government’s petition to issue an interim order against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan 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 heard the contempt of court petition filed by the Ministry of Interior against the PTI chief over the May 25 march.

During today’s hearing, Additional Attorney General Amir Rehman informed the apex court about the announcements made by several PTI leaders calling the masses to march towards Islamabad’s D-Chowk adding that the reports of police and intelligence institutions have been reviewed.

The chief justice remarked that the PTI chief had also requested to remove the barricads placed in the way of his party’s long march. “It means that Imran Khan had been informed about the court’s order,” Justice Bandial added.

He questioned who had told Imran Khan about the court’s order.

He said that the court order came on May 25 at 6pm, while the announcement was made by Khan at 6:50pm and he made the second announcement at 9:54pm.

“The PTI had requested to stage a sit-in at the Srinagar Highway,” he said. “Khan had also announced to go to D-Chowk even before the court order.”

The attorney general said that PTI leaders Shireen Mazari, Fawad Chaudhry, Usman Dar, Shahbaz Gill, and Saifullah Niazi also gave a call to party workers to arrive at D-Chowk.

The chief justice said that the court would issue notices to Imran Khan, Faisal Chaudhry and Babar Awan.

“From Khan’s statement, it seems like he was informed about the court’s orders as he said that the SC ordered removing barricades,” the CJP remarked and summoned the PTI chairman to clarify before the court who said what.

Rehman, while referring to the end of PTI’s long march at Jinnah Avenue on May 26, argued that the PTI chief’s latest call to reach D-Chowk was a contempt of court.

The additional attorney general further stated that PTI lawyers Babar Awan and Faisal Chaudhry assured the court that they would not cross the restricted area.

At this, CJP Bandial said that Rehman’s argument has some weight therefore it would be better to seek a response from those who assured.

“Even if a notice is served, it is not necessary for Khan to appear,” he said, adding that the court didn’t want to make the headlines, it only wanted the rule of law to prevail.

Meanwhile, the court sought a response from Khan over the plea seeking contempt proceedings against him.

The court also directed to provide the police, ISI, and IB reports to Khan and said that the PTI chief should provide an answer in light of these reports.

The court adjourned the hearing till Monday (October 31).