Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), conveyed his surprise and concern to his legal team regarding the replacement of the judge overseeing the case involving Judge Zeba Chaudhry filed against him.
Salman Safdar, one of the PTI chief’s legal counsels, expressed concern during a media briefing outside Attock jail about the change in the judge overseeing the Judge Zeba Chaudhry case, which left the PTI chairman worried and surprised. He emphasized that Judge Malik Aman, who had been handling the case, was expected to deliver a verdict soon, and deemed this change of the judge at a critical juncture as inappropriate.
Salman Safdar also mentioned that Imran Khan had personally visited Judge Zeba Chaudhry’s court and issued an apology for the comments he had made against her during a public gathering.
Imran Khan faced charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act for allegedly threatening additional sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry and senior police officers from Islamabad Police during a public rally in August the previous year. This led to contempt of court proceedings initiated by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the former prime minister. Subsequently, the IHC dropped the terrorism charges and pardoned the PTI chief after he issued an apology in the contempt case. However, a similar case remained pending before the sessions court after the initial FIR.
Salman Safdar noted that his client, unable to secure bail in the cipher case, felt deeply disheartened. He asserted that there had been no violation of the Official Secrets Act. During their meeting, they also updated Imran Khan on the suspension of bail in nine cases and the nine cases currently under review by the IHC.
