ISLAMABAD: Taking action against the ‘contemptuous’ press conference which categorically rejected a Supreme Court decision in the Memogate case, the apex court on Wednesday issued contempt of court notices to Babar Awan and four other Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders, including two sitting ministers.
The apex court issued show-cause notices to Awan, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khurshid Shah, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan and Adviser to Prime Minister Farooq Awan for addressing the controversial press conference — demanding their replies by January 13. Their replies are expected to explain why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against them after “ridiculing” the court’s decision in the memo case.
Earlier, Awan had addressed a press conference at the Press Information Department on December 1, 2011 following the apex court’s decision to form a one-man commission headed by former Federal Investigation Agency Director General Tariq Khosa to probe the case — rejecting its decision and questioning its motives.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and Justice Muhammad Ather Saeed noted that sufficient on-record material was available which warranted initiation of contempt of court proceedings against those who arranged and addressed the press conference against the apex court’s judicial order.
The court demanded Attorney General (AG) Maulvi Anwarul Haq to reveal who were the PPP leaders representing and who had managed the press conference — the government or the party. The AG, however, replied that he had already submitted the prime minister’s reply that the press conference was the stance of the PPP alone.
The AG then read out Yousaf Raza Gilani’s reply submitted before the court on December 26 which stated that the content of the press conference was the party’s stance and the government could not even “think” about ridiculing the apex court’s decision.
The court had rejected the prime minister’s first reply as “unsatisfactory” and another reply was submitted by Gilani later. “Was challenging the independence, neutrality and impartiality of the court not contempt of court?” Justice Muhammad Ather Saeed asked the AG.
Following court orders, the AG also read out contents of the press conference which had “derogatory” remarks against the judiciary. Meanwhile, Justice Ather Saeed observed that the press conference “contemptuously” criticised the order of the court. He said government functionaries had “ridiculed the judiciary in flagrant violation of the dignity of the court”.
On December 30, while delivering a verdict on the maintainability of memo case petitions, the chief justice had termed the press conference “contemptuous” and called for its transcript in his chamber.
Earlier, speaking at a press conference on December 1, Awan along with Shah, Kaira, Awan and Farooq had criticised the Supreme Court saying that by ordering the probe into the memo issue, it had denied the right of a bipartisan and bicameral parliamentary committee on national security to hold an inquiry into the scandal.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2012.
COMMENTS (38)
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@Khurshid very well put! and @Mirza, wow and double wow! I agree with every word. Keep posting and educating us.
The only solution for all the problems of Pakistan is to impose an "Islamic System" in this country.
this news report earlier said that it was SC who summoned Zardari.
It's called freedom of speech - a concept taught in every law school - if you can't take criticism find another job.
These people are not only mocking the SC but every Pakistani who has struggled for a free judiciary. They should be made an example of by the SC.
While thousands of mullahs come out in support of a confessed killer Qadri and opposed to the court's decision it is fine and dandy. No contemp of court is involved there at all. The LHC and PCO SC do not go against these extremists. However, if it were secular elected politicians the PCO judges are all ready and fired up. This is called selective justice by the PCO courts.
This is a Supreme Court that, to put it politely, operates with a bizarre sense of jurisprudence. An alleged memo from one American to another is taken up with haste as a threat to the country, but the discovery of the worlds most wanted terrorist under the military's nose, doesnt deserve a suo motto notice. A denial by the DG ISI that he never solicited the approval of Arab states to remove Zardari is sufficient to close the matter, but Ambassdor haqqani's denial about the memo finds no takers; the IJI case lies in storage but the letter from a an expat Pakistani saying how he is threatened by the contents of the so called memo gets converted into a petition. Real events that have occurred and continue to occur to threaten our security fail to move the court, but the contents of a letter that found its due place in Mullens waste paper basket, is sufficient to warrant notices to the President and Prime minister. Contempt of court or contempt of blatant bias?
@mr malik yo are mistaken sir,this court is a whip used by Nawaz to beat Zardari with so many people suspicious ,this supreme court will do well to resighn so the confidence can be restored among the public
good... they should be punished this time...
@jai zardari: Dear court is not a politiacal party agaisnt whom they are agitating, this is the apex court of Pakistan, Pakistanis should have great respect for it, if some body did wrong he could not get benefit of his own wrong, neither he can accuse to some body else of his wrong doings.
he looks like sean connery :)
This sc has suffocated likes of asma jahangeer and babar awan, what to talk of us common souls who seek justice and freedom from many prejudices we feel our country accustomed to: any full bench urgent hearing on grievances of baloch mothers! Or at least for missing persons?! SORRY CONTEMPT AGAIN!
it is sad that by its biase behaviour SC has put itself in that position hundreds of millions of people have contempt for this court ,it is a shame I agree many hundred millions may support the court but only because it seems to be targeting a political group they don't like This is not contempt of court what Awam and others are doing it is the protest they seem to be doing against perceived injustices
Better late than never. The Supreme Court has shown a very high level of tolerance for a loud mouth like Babar Awan. Thier bluster must end. The Court should give exapmlery punishments to silance the likes of him.
Who wants 'parha likha' (educated) politician ? Is AWAN is what you ask for ?
This court desrves contempt , lots of it.
Strangulate every voice of dissent against the biased judgements of the PCO judges!
How about contempt of court notice to leader of PML N for declaring setting up of military courts in the unlikely event he comes to power????
@ Vaqar: Apologies for mistake, I should have replaced 'is' with 'was'.
@ Not me: I agree with you.This was not the first time Mr Babar Awan spoke un-kindly and in contemp about the Supreme Court. People have high respect for Supreme Court I hope he is punished!
Great to know a good news to deal with such *
SC should be able to implement its verdicts else don't give any.
Strange!!!! aren't the ministers above the law or don't they have immunity also ???
A very very good news. These individuals have made it a habbit to malign the Judiciary and use derogatory language against the Supreme Court. Its time they are properly punished
Its hard to belive but I guess better late than never.
Wow well done...gud on you sc..
Great CJ, salute to you. If judiciary performs its duty impartially and observes norms of justice in letter and spirit Inshallah half of Pakistan's problems will solve. Here i quote Churchil "If our courts (English courts) do justice then be sure we would not lose the war". His reply to a reporter who asked whether England can win the war.
Our Supreme has been very tolerant. Contempt notices should have been issued long before.
@Hammad
Errr! Correct me if I am wrong but the last time I checked Mr Chandio was the Law Minister. Can you get your facts right?
On a personal note, I fully endorse the contempt notices by the learned court.
Sad news!
@MAHER ALI: ...and Contempt of Honesty, Integrity, Sincerity, Decency and Country!
And see the irony one of these is our 'law' minister. Speechless!
Bravo... time to shut big mouthpieces...
In developed countries, contempt of court is the biggest crime ever. Here it should be implemented also.
SC should also issue Notice to Govt for Contempt of DEMOCRACY.....