Khan submits another reply to IHC, offers regrets but no apology,
Former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday submitted a reply to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in Toshakhana reference.
The reply was submitted to the ECP by Barrister Gauhar Khan and Barrister Ali Zafar on behalf of Imran Khan a copy of which had been obtained by Private TV channel.
According to the Imran Khan’s reply, 329 gifts were received during the three-and-a-half-year tenure of his government.
Imran Khan and his wife, former first lady Bushra Bibi, received 58 gifts of Toshakhana.
A total of 14 gifts, worth more than Rs30,000, were obtained by former premier Imran Khan and his wife.
All the gifts were mentioned in the tax returns and details of assets.
Four units of Toshakhana gifts were sold. An amount of more than Rs30 million was paid in exchange for Toshakhana gifts.
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday submitted a new reply in the Islamabad High Court in a contempt case extending his regrets over his ‘inadvertent’ rant against a female judicial officer but there was no mention of any apology.
In his reply, the former premier expressed his remorse saying that he was sorry over his remarks against the female judicial officer. He confessed that his remarks were unintentional as he didn’t mean to hurt the sentiments of a female adjudicator.
“I feel sorry if a female judge is hurt,’ the PTI chief wrote.
In his 19-page long reply, the PTI chief hoped that the court would discharge notice against him following his explanation and by acting upon the Islamic principle of forgiveness.
In his reply, Imran wrote: “That the purpose of the contempt law is not to punish anyone but to uphold the majesty of law. The respondent [Khan] believes in the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution.
“The respondent takes this opportunity to express his deep regrets over his unintentional utterances during the course of his speech at a rally which was taken out in response to the shocking news of the physical torture of Shahbaz Gill.
“The respondent neither meant to threaten the lady judge nor could he think of doing so. The respondent has respect for the judiciary including the Subordinate judiciary and he believes that judges of the Subordinate/District judiciary should be strong and independent in order to dispense justice to the common man.
“Those utterances were never meant to interfere with or in any way influence the course of administration of justice. The respondent believes that courts all over Pakistan are adhering to the rule of law and the constitution.”
Imran in his reply said that his utterances were bitterly criticized by his political opponents who wanted to oust him from the political field.
He continued: “However, unfortunately, in order to gain political advantage, it has been bitterly criticized out of all proportions by those who see an opportunity for political point scoring and to oust the Respondent from the political arena.”
However, the PTI chief noted that the courts have “always recognised” and followed the Islamic principles of forgiveness and restraint.
“The respondent beseeches that the said Islamic Principles of ufve and forgiveness would also be followed in this case,” Imran pleaded with the court.
In its written order, the IHC found Imran’s reply, submitted on Aug 30, to be “unsatisfactory” asking him to submit another reply in seven days.
The IHC has summoned Imran and his lawyers on September 8 at 2:30pm.
Earlier in August, the IHC issued a show-cause notice to the PTI chairman over a contempt of court case after his remarks against Additional Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry and asked him to appear personally before the bench on August 31.
During the previous hearing, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked that he was personally hurt by the written statement submitted by the former prime minister. “You must understand the seriousness of the matter and answer thoughtfully or else the court will proceed with the matter.”
