IHC gives PTI more time in Imran Khan’s X account case; next hearing on Nov 23
The Islamabad High Court on Thursday granted PTI interim chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan more time to file a written response to a petition seeking a ban on party founder Imran Khan’s official X account. The Imran Khan X account case will now come up for hearing on Nov 23, when the party is expected to submit its detailed reply.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir heard the petition, which was filed by Ghulam Murtaza. Barrister Gohar appeared in person before the court.
The court observed that Barrister Gohar could have submitted his response in writing. The PTI leader told the court that his party did not claim ownership of the X account in question, but he sought additional time to file a detailed response, citing a change in circumstances.
Imran Khan X account: what the petition seeks
The petition asks the court to order a ban on the X account that carries Imran Khan’s name. The account has remained a point of contention: the party says it is not the account’s owner, while the petitioner wants it blocked.
The case matters because the account is one of the most followed political handles in Pakistan and a central channel for the party’s messaging while its founder is in jail. A court decision either way would set a marker for how social media accounts tied to political figures are treated by the judiciary.
The adjournment keeps the dispute alive for another five weeks. The court’s next hearing on Nov 23 will take up the party’s written response.
Warrants issued in 2014 sit-in cases
In a separate development on the same day, Judicial Magistrate Shaista Kundi issued arrest warrants for the accused who failed to appear in cases registered against the PTI founder and others in connection with the 2014 sit-in.
Imran Khan could not be produced in court because he is currently incarcerated in Adiala jail. The magistrate adjourned the proceedings till Nov 25 and directed that evidence be presented at the next hearing.
The two court developments underline how legal pressure on the party continues on multiple fronts. The PTI has insisted it wants a meeting with Imran Khan to move any political dialogue forward, while the joint session of parliament has endorsed governor’s rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The courts have also been active on the administrative side, with the IHC staying direct recruitment of inspectors in Islamabad police, and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has offered dialogue to the PTI over the KP emergency.
Frequently asked questions
What did the IHC decide on Imran Khan’s X account?
The court gave PTI interim chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan additional time to file a written response to the petition seeking a ban on the account. The hearing was adjourned to Nov 23.
Does PTI claim ownership of the X account?
No. Barrister Gohar told the court his party did not claim ownership of the X account in question, but he sought more time to submit a detailed response, citing a change in circumstances.
What happened in the 2014 sit-in cases?
Judicial Magistrate Shaista Kundi issued arrest warrants for accused who failed to appear in cases against Imran Khan and others linked to the 2014 sit-in. The matter was adjourned to Nov 25 for evidence.
Update: PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan told the court that the party does not claim ownership of the X account at the centre of the case.
