LHC issues notice to Maryam, Nawaz over anti-judiciary remarks

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday, issued a notice to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz for their anti-judiciary remarks.

Multiple requests and petitions against the duo had been submitted to the court that claimed that they are trying to 'provoke' the masses against the judiciary. The petitions further state that Maryam Nawaz denounces and contradicts the judiciary's remarks and position on both social media and in public gatherings.

Interestingly, the Supreme Court, today has rejected petitions to initiate contempt cases against Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif and others including Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar.

Nawaz, on the other hand, rebels against the judiciary and provokes the public, the petition further read. The requests further state that Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) also does nothing to put an end to such speeches or their live telecast and broadcast.



After listening to the arguments of the petitioner, the LHC issued notices to Nawaz, Maryam and PEMRA, directing all three to submit a reply by March 15. The court also directed secretary of PEMRA to be included in the case as party to the problem.

In previous hearings, the LHC summoned PEMRA officers on a petition seeking action against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Safdar for their alleged anti-judiciary speeches.

The counsel referred to the ongoing public gatherings in which the former PM addressed and allegedly made contemptuous remarks targeting judges of the superior courts.

He stated that anti-judiciary speeches were telecast live and Pemra, which was the relevant authority, did not stop any TV channel from airing those remarks. Thus, he said Pemra violated the law and was equally responsible for the ongoing vilification campaign.  The apex judiciary had jurisdiction over all issues of a judicial nature and exclusive authority to decide whether an issue was of political or non-political nature.  He said Pemra failed to implement its code of conduct against the airing of hate speeches and content which is defamatory or contemptuous.