SC quashes contempt case against Imran Khan

E-Paper | March 02, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday dropped contempt charges against cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, accepting his explanation that he never intended to bring senior judges into disrepute.

Khan, the head of Pakistan's third largest party, had criticised the judiciary and election commission for inaction over alleged rigged at elections in May, when he won a political breakthrough.

But Khan, summoned for a second time before the Supreme Court, said he never criticised the senior judiciary and that undermining the supremacy of the judiciary was akin to undermining democracy.

“Why it is being misconstrued?... I only referred to the returning officers and never named the Supreme Court or the superior judiciary,” Khan told the court.

“My entire struggle has been focused on an independent justice system,” he said.

Moreover, Attorney General of Pakistan informed the bench during the hearing that the statements given by the chief if the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) did not insubordinate the judiciary.

The court dropped the case.

“The notice is discharged,” said Anwar Zaheer Jamali, head of the three-judge panel that heard the proceedings.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) finished third place in the May 2013 polls won by Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), but formed a government only in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pakistan

Supreme Court issues contempt notice to Imran Khan

Imran contempt case: SC orders PTI chief to resubmit explanation

PTI chief defends use of word

Gul Khan

Aug 28, 2013 02:12pm

congratulation to Imran Khan. what a relief !; also salam to our apex court and AG

Recommend 0

Ali

Aug 28, 2013 02:16pm

Sheer waste of time and resources for no reason, these are our learned jurists, so shameful.

Recommend 0

Syed Asif Zafar

Aug 28, 2013 02:27pm

Good decision by court. Syed jeddaj

Recommend 0

Irum Afshan Qureshi

Aug 28, 2013 02:40pm

warrior of justice, Mr.Imran Khan,indeed; grown up so well, from cricket to knell, the knell of grace, the knell of change, the knell of hope, the knell of scope, the scope of Self, May ALLAH Always Give Help. ameen

Recommend 0

Shaheen

Aug 28, 2013 03:28pm

Good news, mr khan now one headache is over. Truth always prevails. I wish pakistanee start knowing you deeply and abandon the corrupt so called leaders.

Recommend 0

Mudassir Hussain

Aug 28, 2013 03:39pm

Only thing comes to mind..."just another one!"

Recommend 0

imranrahbar

Aug 28, 2013 03:49pm

so why was the notice issued in the first instance:

Recommend 0

Farrukh Seer

Aug 28, 2013 03:51pm

He did not apologise. He only lied. Obviously a straight forward politician.

Recommend 0

Waseem Jamal

Aug 28, 2013 04:05pm

we need such leader who could defend his sayings and actions. weldone Khan. i personally hope he can talk to any body in the world with such spirit and on merit without any fear or greed.

Recommend 0

aamir

Aug 28, 2013 04:24pm

Why.....why not for others..a premier was sent packing home, country was destabilised..anarchy was created just for having his interpretaion of constitution regarding the immunity of writting letters to a foreign country to open cases against thye sitting president of the country and hee a man{Imran} has not even aplogised yet he has been left off the hook ..sharmnak conduct of higher judiciary { i do not intend maliging the higher judiciary ..same as Imran's plea}. Sharmnak.

Recommend 0

humxa

Aug 28, 2013 04:32pm

learned........... aaaaaah!!!!!!!

Recommend 0

sabeeh omer

Aug 28, 2013 05:23pm

An excellent display of maturity and prudence by both the judiciary and Imran Khan!

Recommend 0

Akhter Husain

Aug 28, 2013 05:44pm

Imran Khan was rightly acquitted of charges,after all he did not refuse to violate the constitution like Mr YRG,the ez PM.

Recommend 0

saleem khan

Aug 28, 2013 06:54pm

Thank God empty thunder storm passed away and nation have a sign of relief.But one thing should be unvieled ---the limit of contempt.Judiciary can be criticised its not a matter of ego.

Recommend 0

Afzaal Ahmed Tahir

Aug 28, 2013 07:34pm

confusion is over and its better ending of contempt notice. Imran Khan`s statement is almost approved by court that ragging had don in general elections.

Recommend 0

Syed Ahmed

Aug 28, 2013 07:52pm

This had to happen - it was very much expected. Why is the SC wasting precious time of tax payers for no rhyme or reason.

Recommend 0

Syed Ahmed

Aug 28, 2013 07:53pm

@Ali: This is Late Munawar Zarif's adalat.

Recommend 0

Aug 28, 2013 08:24pm

There is nothing wrong to criticise the Supreme Court. Anyone can criticise any branch of the government and it is very common in the developed and developing democracies. There is no doubt that most judges, including the Supreme Court Justices, in Pakistan are corrupt. They have no respect for the law and use their positions for selfish end and not the benefit of the public. These judges are embarrassment to legal profession and system. I am ashamed to call them judges.

Recommend 0

irum afshan qureshi

Aug 28, 2013 08:37pm

towards a just pakistan

Recommend 0

Tariq Mehsud

Aug 28, 2013 08:38pm

Let's get back to work.

Recommend 0

SHAHID LATIF

Aug 28, 2013 08:50pm

@Gul Khan: Definitely what a relief. Imran's detractors were looking forward for a field day to see both Imran and judiciary at odds and have a win-win situation for downing either of them.

Recommend 0

Ali

Aug 28, 2013 08:57pm

Thank you judiciary for entertaining Pakistani media!!

Recommend 0

MABU

Aug 28, 2013 09:03pm

You are absolutely right.

Recommend 0

Adam Malik

Aug 28, 2013 09:46pm

Feel the Difference

Recommend 0

Ghayoor

Aug 28, 2013 09:52pm

Gobsmacked! is how I describe my feelings. So the contempt charges have been dropped only because IK "never criticized the superior judiciary". Excellent. Does this mean people are free to criticize lower judiciary? What a logic. It also implies that "criticizing the superior judiciary" is contempt, again what a logic. All I can say the logic given here is outright discriminatory, and that too coming from CJP is rather too rich who seems to be in the habit of quoting from past Islamic era - when it suits him. We unfortunate Pakistanis had been and continue to be intimidated by our uniformed masters, add to this equation all the Supreme Court as well, and why not! Mr CJP get a grip, people are not daft, neither they cannot understand the logic, your decisions are discriminatory and repugnant and selective. In democracy anyone can be criticized, and for once I shall happily side with IK for speaking out his mind. Good on your Mr Khan.

Recommend 0

Parvez Iqbal Anjum

Aug 28, 2013 10:20pm

It is heartening to know that the case has been dropped against Imran Khan. Both the stake-holders displayed acumen and maturity. Both sides deserve commendation .They have averted another standoff in the making in larger national interest rising above their ego.

Recommend 0

Parvez Iqbal Anjum

Aug 28, 2013 10:18pm

Recommend 0

Ehtesham Malik

Aug 28, 2013 11:01pm

Noora Kushti at its best....judiciary has become a circus! every day a new suo moto props up and then dies down without any real action. Not one corrupt politician has been punished by the honorable CJ sahib why? he has been sitting on this chair for a long time what has he accomplished besides fooling the public? he should be held accountable as well!

Recommend 0

abdullah

Aug 28, 2013 11:25pm

Please do not over look the conduct of Federal Governments representative, the Attorney General who also did not support the contempt notice, Another plus for Prime Minister and PML N. You cannot expect such maturity from PTI under 19.

Recommend 0

nazk

Aug 28, 2013 11:32pm

@Ali: What? If the court acquits someone, it is a waste of time of resources? So in your opinion, the court should find everybody guilty? Excellent logic.

Recommend 0

pir rashid

Aug 28, 2013 11:43pm

Quite nice about the SC. Rather taking side again with his dear one, has come to his senses. I think SC have relised the real fact that if Imran Khaln is convicted the out come would not be good for presant illegal regime. I appreciate the decision of the presant SC mafia. False acqusation, False acqusation, False acqusation. What a wonderful SC.

Recommend 0

azmat khan

Aug 29, 2013 12:47am

@sabeeh omer: Both are liars and hypocrites. Both are characterless.

Recommend 0

azmat khan

Aug 29, 2013 12:50am

@Akhter Husain:He just showed the judiciary a mirror.

Recommend 0

azmat khan

Aug 29, 2013 12:54am

@sabeeh omer:IK went back on his words and the judiciary forgot every thing.

Recommend 0

Khan

Aug 29, 2013 04:21am

Good job.Can anybody else dare to talk truth like great Khan.No nobody.He is really deserving candidate for PM.We are proud of you Khan.luck favours the Bravo

Recommend 0

Khan

Aug 29, 2013 05:15am

CJ sahib has crossed limits shamelessness.Please keep in mind that you have to die one day,and there will be day of judgement.And that judge will treat everybody equal.Or you dont believe in that.

Recommend 0

babar

Aug 29, 2013 07:22am

Good leader always follow the law and believe in rule of law. Imran Khan did not respect the judges and court of law therefore, verdict should be 100 lashes on his back so he can learn about the rule of law and he should banned for contesting elections for lifetime.

Recommend 0

Aftab Kenneth Wilson

Aug 29, 2013 11:41am

This reminds me of a book titled '' Aur Adalat Haar Gae ''. This was written by Mr. Muhammad Amir Rana way back in late 90's. Why this restrain was not practiced when two PM were sent home and also when scores of other cases of similar kind are still pending will surely haunt the grieved?

Recommend 0

Dr Khan

Aug 29, 2013 11:56am

Instead of taking Suo Moto notices on contempt of court the honorable Judges are requested to spend time and energy in solving the people's problems who approach lower courts every day.Their minor disputes are not decided for years.Bribes are very common and the influencial manage to get judgment in their favor.Poor persons spend their money and energy for years and years but with out getting any relief.Justice delayed is justice denied according to saying of our Chief Justice.

Recommend 0

Masood

Aug 29, 2013 10:06pm

I am 100% agree with you, selected justice is no justice.

Recommend 0

Rana

Aug 29, 2013 11:47pm

They just wanted Imran Khan out of the way while John Kerry visited Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Imran

Aug 30, 2013 02:31pm

@babar: You must be kidding. What i dont understand is what's wrong in calling wrong the wrong. This is not a crime and no humiliation to anyone. Our judiciary is biased we all know that, and it is everyone's fundamental right to speak against these sort of things. If people could object the justice of Hazrat Umar bin Khatab (RAW) then why not these so called justice. Thats why our society is where it is today. If you cant stop the wrong doing, atleast call it wrong, if you cant do that atleast consider it wrong in your heart. I dont say this, our Islam says it. I am not saying because its Imran Khan. I would say this even though you were in Imran Khan's place. Our judges need to be challenged, so they dont consider themselves above everything. I hope you got the point. Same should be applied to politicians, i hate when people defend their leaders like they God sent. We all know not even one of them is pure and innocent, yet we support, defend them and celebrate victories on street like they own us. Our country will keep suffering until we change this.

Recommend 0

Dr. Noor

Aug 30, 2013 04:35pm

Aina unko jo dikhaya to burra maan gaye.... sums up the whole contempt proceedings...

Recommend 0

Ahmed

Aug 30, 2013 09:27pm

Rather than reforming the lower judiciary which the CJ has not done in last 5 years , another circus like joke hurled at nation ; wasting time & resources of the nation.

Recommend 0