The Islamabad High Court on Monday resumed the hearing of a disqualification case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan pertaining to concealing his alleged daughter Tyrian Jade White in his nomination papers.
A larger bench of Islamabad High Court comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Arbab Tahir and headed by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard the case and said the former premier should ‘simply accept or deny having a daughter’.
At the start of the hearing, Justice Farooq stated that everyone is entitled to privacy but this case is being heard in court due to a legal issue. “Say whatever you have to say in ‘yes’ or ‘no’,” he said.
Speaking to Imran’s lawyers, the IHC chief justice said, “this is a two-minute case…either you admit or deny and the hearing will come to an end”.
“If you deny, the petition will be dismissed for now and in the next election, someone will bring this issue again,” he remarked.
Justice Farooq said that it is unfortunate for someone’s private life to become a public issue, requesting Imran’s counsel to take a clear stand.
The PTI chief’s lawyer, Salman Akram Raja, did not appear in court. His assistant counsel said that the petitioner has requested to amend his petition. “We object to his request and need time to reply in writing”.
The chief justice noted that Imran had to answer only two pages and asked if he could submit the reply today.
