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ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday rejected federal government’s plea, seeking to restrain PTI Chairman Imran Khan from launching his long-awaited Long March towards Islamabad. The apex court issued notices to Imran Khan and other party leaders, ordering them to submit rejoinder on a plea filed by the federal government which sought to initiate contempt of court proceedings for alleged violation of court’s May 25 order.
At the end of today’s proceedings, the Supreme Court made clear that it was not issuing any show-cause or contempt notice to Imran Khan and others, and will see the content of rejoinder of Imran Khan after which further due course would be adopted. The court maintained that it could not use its pen as stick to fulfil government’s wishes. ٖFour of the five judges decided to issue notices seeking rejoinders from Khan, while Justice Afridi maintained his earlier opinion regarding issuance of contempt notice in this matter.
The Apex Court also issued notices to lawyers Babar Awan and Faisal Chaudhry.
The PTI, it may be recalled, was restricted from holding its Azadi March near Peshawar Mor between the H-9 and G-9 areas of Islamabad. However, some of PTI supporters did make their way towards D-Chowk, prompting the government to summon the army for the security of the capital’s Red Zone. Imran Khan, on the other hand, not only opted to stay out of D-Chowk, but also called off the Long March as well.
A five-judge larger bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, took up the contempt petition.
The hearing was later adjourned until October 31.
