Khan wishes to “take back” alleged threats towards female judge

07.09.2022

Thomas Brandes.

Pakistan and Human Rights Researcher,

Global Human Rights Defence.

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan has found himself at the centre of media attention yet again, this time after making “unintentional” remarks against district and sessions judge Zeba Chaudhry. The remarks left Mr. Khan with nothing short of terrorism case on the complaint of Islamabad Saddar Magistrate Ali Javed for threatening members of judiciary. It was at a rally in Islamabad that Khan made the unintentional utterance of  “Zeba! Be ready, we will take action against you” resulting in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) summoning the former prime minister.

Resultantly, Khan has profusely apologised, promising to “take back” any comments that were “regarded as inappropriate”, and pleaded that the courts withdraw the judges, believing that they were predisposed to disliking him. A response from IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah rebuked: “I was expecting that you would go to the courts and say that you trust them [the courts]”, including that the reply Khan had given was disappointing. 

Dozens of female activists of civil society staged a protest demonstration in response to the statements. “We are standing up for Zeba because she is a woman and derogatory words were used for her. Every woman takes offence over such a thing. Appropriate words were not used for her,” stated one participant.

References:

Daily Pakistan. “Imran Khan Appears before IHC in Contempt Case.” Daily Pakistan Global, 31 Aug. 2022, en.dailypakistan.com.pk/31-Aug-2022/imran-khan-appears-before-ihc-in-contempt-case. Accessed 7 Sept. 2022.

Naseer, Tahir. “Contempt Case: In Revised Reply to IHC, Imran Expresses “Deep Regrets” over “Unintentional” Remarks against Judge.” DAWN.COM, 7 Sept. 2022, www.dawn.com/news/1708905/contempt-case-in-revised-reply-to-ihc-imran-expresses-deep-regrets-over-unintentional-remarks-against-judge. Accessed 7 Sept. 2022.

Rabbani, Farah. “Women Hold Demo against Imran Khan’s Remarks about Female Judge.” Samaa, 22 Aug. 2022, www.samaaenglish.tv/news/40015151. Accessed 7 Sept. 2022.