Imran Khan given chance to come clean on contempt charges
Kamran Yousaf
Press TV, Islamabad
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is once again embroiled in controversy as he appears before Islamabad high court over charges of contempt of court.
He was summoned over his derogatory remarks uttered during a speech in the capital, Islamabad, on August 20. Khan had threatened to file court cases against senior police officials after his close aide, Shahbaz Gill, was arrested on August 9. Khan accused police forces of torturing Gill while he was in custody.
In the same speech, he also singled out a female judge, saying the judiciary is biased towards his party, and that it should brace itself for the consequences.
Khan has submitted a written reply to the court, saying he will not apologize for his remarks but is ready to withdraw the words if they were inappropriate.
Islamabad high court has described Khan’s response as unsatisfactory and directed him to submit a fresh statement. Khan can be disqualified for 5 years from taking part in politics if he is found guilty of contempt of court. His supporters believe Khan has done nothing wrong.
Pakistan’s law minister however is convinced that Khan indeed committed a contempt of court.
Khan was ousted from power in April through a vote of no confidence. But he termed his ouster as a US backed conspiracy. His popularity, however, has increased in recent months. Many observers believe that any move to seek his disqualification may backfire.
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