ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday disposed of a contempt petition filed against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.
A three-member apex court bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, heard the petition filed by senior lawyer Naseer Ahmed Kayani against Imran Khan, accusing him of committing contempt of court by using derogatory language against former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.
As the hearing went underway, the petitioner’s counsel, Hashmat Habib, informed the court that he cannot make contact with his client.
The bench then disposed of the petition.
The top court is also expected to hear two separate contempt of court petitions filed by Riaz Hanif Rahi against former premier Nawaz Sharif and Iftikhar Chaudhry.
Earlier on March 26, the SC had dismissed a petition seeking contempt of court case against Nawaz Sharif.
A three-member bench of the SC, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, had heard a plea filed by a ‘habitual petitioner’ Mahmood Akhtar Naqvi asking contempt of court case against the former prime minister.
While hearing the contempt of court petition, the CJP had questioned the need to frame charges against Nawaz Sharif, asking whether it was a matter of out-of-turn promotions.
According to a media report, the CJP was quoted as saying, “Mian sahib is no one now, so what actions can be taken [against him]?”
Moreover, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, another member of the bench, had argued that the case had become ineffective under present circumstances. The apex court then dismissed the petition.
On March 14, the SC had dismissed a contempt plea against Nawaz Sharif a day after rejecting a similar petition, stating that citizens had the right to comment on judicial verdicts.
