ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Monday decided to take contempt of court proceedings against the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for threatening Islamabad police officers and a female magistrate, during his speech.
The sources privy to the matter said that the decision was taken after consultation with all the judges of the IHC.
It has also been decided to form a larger bench headed by Justice Mohsin Akhter Kiyani and comprising Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb and Justice Babar Sattar to hear the case tomorrow.
On Saturday, Imran Khan while addressing the rally held to show solidarity with his party leader Dr Shahbaz Gill at F-9 Park said that his party would move the Supreme Court against Gill’s arrest and alleged torture, and would also seek legal action against the Islamabad police chief and his deputy as well as the magistrate who sent Shahbaz Gill on physical remand.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority prohibited the broadcast of live speeches of PTI Chairman Imran Khan on all satellite TV channels with immediate effect following the latter’s apparent threat speech on Saturday.
PEMRA said that only recorded speech would be permitted to be aired after ensuring effective monitoring and editorial control in conformity with PEMRA laws.
FIR lodged against Imran Khan under terror act
An FIR was registered on Sunday against Imran Khan under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act for threatening Islamabad police officers and a female magistrate during his speech on Saturday.
Following the registration of FIR, Islamabad Police late night beefed up security around Imran Khan’s Bani Gala residence.
Dozens of supporters gathered outside his home from early on Monday chanting slogans against the government and the police.
IHC grants Imran Khan pre-arrest bail
Later on Monday (today), the Islamabad High Court defused the immediate tension by granting the PTI chairperson three days of pre-arrest bail.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Babar Sattar heard the bail plea and ordered PTI chief to approach the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) within three days.
“A terrorism case was registered against PTI chairman yesterday, but the petitioner has no previous criminal record,” said the petition moved by party lawyers Babar Awan and Faisal Chaudhry.
They requested the court to approve the bail application and expressed readiness for the investigation involved in the case.
No option other than fresh elections
Khan, during the parliamentary party meeting today, said that the coalition government registered a case against him under the terror act after he demanded an investigation in Shehbaz Gill’s torture.
He said that his movement was for “real independence” and the nation was part of a revolution, adding that election over nine National Assembly seats would be in favour of his party.
Sources say that the parliamentary party meeting held at Khan’s Bani Gala residence decided that no member of the parliament would return to the assembly under any circumstances and would not accept any option other than fresh elections.
