Pakistan's Supreme Court today described as "insufficient" responses submitted by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan to a contempt notice and directed him to file another reply by August 28.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry heard the case against the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief.
The apex court had issued a notice to Khan, asking him to explain why action should not be taken against him for contempt of court for making derogatory remarks about judges during a recent interaction with the media.
The bench said verbal and written replies submitted by Khan were "insufficient". Khan initially delivered a brief verbal respose, saying his lawyer had returned from the US last night and was not prepared for the case.
The court expressed its dissatisfaction at the verbal reply and gave Khan time to file a written response. Khan and his lawyer then submitted a two-paragraph reply.
Khan said in the response that he had used the word "shameful" to describe presiding officers involved in the recent election, and not the judiciary.
The Chief Justice observed that since Khan is a public figure, such remarks were not expected from him. Khan said he and his party strongly support the judiciary and had worked hard to restore judges sacked by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.
The bench finally gave Khan time till August 28 to submit a detailed written response and adjourned the case.
Talking to reporters after the hearing, Khan said "My criticism was aimed towards the presiding officers for the election." Asked if he would apologise, he said: "If there is no contempt, what should I be apologizing for?"
He added, "I have not said anything that is punishable by law. My statements were made in the interest of democracy in Pakistan.
