Contempt of court: Former minister submits unconditional apology
Gandapur says media broadcast incorrect news of him speaking against judiciary
Former provincial minister for revenue Ali Amin Gandapur. PHOTO: ONLINE
PESHAWAR:
The Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel adjourned the hearing in a contempt of court case against former provincial minister for revenue Ali Amin Gandapur after he submitted an unconditional apology.
When hearing commenced in the contempt of court notice on Monday, Gandapur’s counsel Abdul Latif Afridi appeared before the court and said the respondent had submitted an unconditional apology in writing.
In the letter, Gandapur said he was issued a contempt of court notice on May 25 for leveling accusations against the chief justice.
The former minister said he did not mention the name of the chief justice; however he did talk of civil works contractor Shoaib Miankhel, who allegedly blackmailed government officials by identifying himself as a relative of the chief justice.
The letter stated that Shoaib was awarded contracts for constructing roads, but he failed to fulfil the job.
He said when the officials of the communication and works department asked Shoaib to complete the contract, he threatened to lodge a complaint against them to the chief justice.
Gandapur stated in the letter that people were suffering due to non-completion of contracts and he, as a representative of the people, also received complaints against Shoaib.
He mentioned that being a citizen of Pakistan, he always respected the judiciary and could not even think of defaming it.
He said the media broadcast such news incorrectly, but he tendered an apology if the press conference created any misconception.
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) chief Absar Alam and co-owner of a TV channel, who broadcast the press conference, also appeared before the court and submitted replies.
Pemra also submitted visual records of the press conference. After hearing the case, the court adjourned it till June 3.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2016.
The Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel adjourned the hearing in a contempt of court case against former provincial minister for revenue Ali Amin Gandapur after he submitted an unconditional apology.
When hearing commenced in the contempt of court notice on Monday, Gandapur’s counsel Abdul Latif Afridi appeared before the court and said the respondent had submitted an unconditional apology in writing.
In the letter, Gandapur said he was issued a contempt of court notice on May 25 for leveling accusations against the chief justice.
The former minister said he did not mention the name of the chief justice; however he did talk of civil works contractor Shoaib Miankhel, who allegedly blackmailed government officials by identifying himself as a relative of the chief justice.
The letter stated that Shoaib was awarded contracts for constructing roads, but he failed to fulfil the job.
He said when the officials of the communication and works department asked Shoaib to complete the contract, he threatened to lodge a complaint against them to the chief justice.
Gandapur stated in the letter that people were suffering due to non-completion of contracts and he, as a representative of the people, also received complaints against Shoaib.
He mentioned that being a citizen of Pakistan, he always respected the judiciary and could not even think of defaming it.
He said the media broadcast such news incorrectly, but he tendered an apology if the press conference created any misconception.
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) chief Absar Alam and co-owner of a TV channel, who broadcast the press conference, also appeared before the court and submitted replies.
Pemra also submitted visual records of the press conference. After hearing the case, the court adjourned it till June 3.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2016.