ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has directed the relevant section of the Supreme Court to furnish before him records of speeches made last week by President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the occasion of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
The hard-hitting speeches in question openly cast doubts and criticised the judiciary in general and the Supreme Court in particular – particularly the one by the PPP’s young co-chairman during a meeting of the party’s Central Executive Committee in Naudero.
Sources said a note was submitted to the Chief Justice based on press clipping regarding the speeches, on which Justice Chaudhry directed the concerned section in the apex court to furnish a complete record before him.
Sources in the Supreme Court, however, said that it was a routine matter as the Chief Justice usually seeks more information about important issues when a file is put before him. However, on many occasions, such records serve as catalysts for suo motu notice on important issues.
Two PPP leaders – the prime minister himself as well as Senator Babar Awan – are already facing contempt proceedings.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 12th, 2012.
COMMENTS (39)
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Where is equality of religion where all humans are equal and even a ruler could be criticized directly and he had to explain that he is innocent? The equality disappears when it comes to generals and the generals who endorse their rule without fail.
Lot of hot air!----what's this nonsense about 'contempt' of court or a judge/s? They are just people and must always remember without any hubris that they have a job for a while and must do it without any sense self-importance and don't mix up themselves with the interest of the court and the people who created these courts and constitution and legal system. Humility does it!
Although Bilawal seems like the co chairman but he is infact the chairman of the PPP so please make the correction in your article.
@Blithe:
And I suppose you'll do the job :D
@BilloRani:
Yes indeed. He did graduate from Oxford. And the person he is talking about is the first elected Prime Minister of this country, First Leader of the house, that gave unanimously passed constitution, and the First and the ONLY Prime Minister murdered by your favorite Judiciary. Now provoke this biased PCO CJP to hold him in contempt, apply article 6 and hand him the capital punishment. Repeat history, people like you and your beloved judiciary is in the habit of.
truth is bitter PCO judges
@ Mirza, If you are so concerned about ZAB judicial murder case, why is your party not apoointing a replacement of Babar Awan so that SC can proceed ahead with the reference hearing. Just learn to blame the right ones.
I was really dejected to hear Bilawal's speech, where he was taunting the judges avd also laying a ethnic tension.
Bilawal seriously needs a mentor.
Courts are not supposed to be run on emotions/hurt feelings. Judges are supposed to be very impersonal in their actions as one intention of making laws is to remove the occurrence of emotional and personal judgments. That's why if it actually reaches the courtroom the first thing you're going to see is a request for a change of venue.
It's seems we have another zardari in the making...no respect for courts and even less for the law...and every one wants to study it nevertheless.
"We want the democratic process to continue, and that too by our party. And in the due process, we wouldn't tolerate any objection to our actions whether the country falls down to a deep deep crisis!". Isn't this what they mean when criticize judiciary? We all know that incapable managers get fired, so why can't they be? Somebody here, mention a single good that these people have done to the country? And please don't mention that they have had lots of sacrifices etc.etc.
The SC by its actions and Political leanings is reinforcing international belief that it is a kangaroo Court. Asking for PM and Presidents speeches anywhere by Courts could be grounds for impeachment because it can be construed as an coup against Democracy. Seems like there is a change in the 3M coalition, now it is Military, Mullah and Munsiff. May God save the country from the troika !
Law is Law, every one has to follow, be it a president or his son...!!!
I can see people here are still in favour of there favourite politicians, by closing there eyes.
Please let the rule of law stablish, if you really care for this country.
Keep doing your dirty politics, but dont make fun of the law.
Let all the people live peacefuly.....
All Politics of course chief Justice is scared thats why this Gillani & his Son cases are just getting forwarded by dates nothing is actually being done . They are just trying to make us Citizens MAD
It's obvious from the comments that PPP supporters don't know the meaning of contempt - blinded by power.
I pray I never have to see this government again, literally!
@Kaisar Bilawal is co-chairman of PPP with Asif Zardari
I have been expecting this, it will turn out to be a suo moto action!
@Mirza: Freedom of speech does not equals to lying through teeth
Bilawal is chairman of PPP i think not co-chairman
hahah - given the time SC spends on these issues it seems to me Pakistan has ZERO crime and Law breaking.
Bored of hearing all these nonsenses! We need Army takeover...
no need to bother - knows what he is son of 'all powerful person in this country'.
If all public officials are subject to criticism, I don't understand why Judiciary should be different!
Contempt of court should only be used when someone stops the process of justice or subverts it. For mere criticism of judges, judgements or even the functioning of courts, Judiciary shouldn't use contempt proceedings. It undermines freedom of voicing one's opinion.
I am perfectly within my right to say "In my opinion Judiciary of Pakistan is no good", just as I can say "Judiciary of Pakistan is good". Both are opinions.
However, Judiciary will be right in prosecuting any official for not carrying out a judicial order, as that undermines the judicial process. Prime Minister included.
@Asad: You are a selfish individual. The CJ has more contribution to Pakistan than the whole of PPP itself.
PCO judges have no credibility.
Seems like our Chief Justice is afraid of taking any action against elite culprits..
of all the hatred i have for the current setup, i think the courts are overreacting now.
We do not need educated and brainless leaders, we need sincere leadership, only!
Another day, another notice. yawn
It looks like our Chief Justice do not have any other work to do.
Let them face the music. Enough of listening to their martyrdom stories.
The PPP and its allies should hold a massive public gathering and everybody should read out loud what most already say. The judicial murder of ZAB is shameful and the SC has a chance to right the wrong but it is going in the opposite direction. How many people can these PCO judges put in jail? There is no freedom of speech when it comes to the SC judges, they are the sacred cows with big egos but ignominious history.
Junior quoted the Vienna Convention in his speech. I did not get what in the Vienna Convention gave his daddy the immunity to act in impunity?? Mi Lord The CJ should ask him that. He is studying Bar-at-law and should know what he is talking about. I think Allah is going to bless us with Mini-Me of Austin Powers fame.
So where did he graduate from? Oxford? Really?
It's unfortunate to see a potential future leader of Pakistan do such a thing - this hypocrisy must end.
They use pictures of Salman Taseer while no PPP leader was supporting Taseer's stance when he was alive. Playing politics with the blood of martyrs.
When will common sense prevail over these monarchs. Aitzaz Ahsan is proving to be more destructive than Baber Awan.
What we need are Hanging Judges as they had in Good old England. Certain judges were known for giving maximum punishment for a crime they were hearing. If it was a Hanging Matter then so be it. They also finalized their case expeditiously. So when one heard that their case was to be heard by so and so judge, they knew what their fate was going to be and were eager to finalize their wills and end of life matters. We too should have Judges know as Hanging Judge. In Pakistan some may pass away even before a Hearing comes up. Baby says, "that should reduce the pressure on the system, don't you think."