Contempt case: In reply to SC, Imran says PTI didn't 'knowingly violate' court orders during May 25 march.

In a detailed reply submitted to the Supreme Court in a contempt case on Wednesday, PTI chief Imran Khan maintained that he was not made aware of the apex court's order of May 25 that defined the limits for his party's 'Azadi March' at the time and as such, 'has not knowingly violated' any of its orders.

Imran is facing contempt proceedings for allegedly flouting the top court's order regarding the party's march on May 25 in a plea filed by the interior ministry.

The ministry has stated in the plea that the apex court had directed the PTI to hold its 'Azadi March' gathering in a ground located between sectors H-9 and G-9. But, Imran and his supporters made their way towards D-Chowk in alleged contravention of court orders, the plea said.

At the previous hearing, the court had given the PTI chairman a second chance to explain the alleged flouting of court orders during the May 25 march. Previously, Imran had said that he was not aware of any undertaking submitted by his party on his behalf that the May 25 'Azadi March' would not proceed to D-Chowk.

In his response submitted today, Imran maintained he was not made aware of the 'detailed contents of the verbal order made by this honourable court at about 6:05pm' on May 25.

He said after a perusal of the order, it was clear that the court had directed the interior ministry secretary, Islamabad and Punjab inspectors general of police and the Attock deputy commissioner to facilitate a meeting between the 'designated PTI leadership in Islamabad', including his counsel Babar Awan, and him.

'No such meeting was facilitated,' he said.

The PTI chairperson further stated that his statements on May 25 while addressing his supporters at 6:45pm and in the following two hours 'reflected the communication of the verbal order received by him from political workers'.

He linked the communication lapse to jammers installed in his container for security purposes, saying the devices 'make direct communication through cellular phones impractical.

'Any inadvertent overstepping his sincerely regretted.'

Assuring the court of having directed his party members to carry out political activities in a dignified manner, he contended that an incomplete recording of his statements made at Chach Interchange in Attock in May 25 was played in the court, and an incomplete transcript of the same was submitted.

Based on the information he had received, Imran said, he had 'relayed to the people of Pakistan the good news that this...

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