New bench formed to hear Nawaz contempt case amid LHC shuffle

Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan of the bench has been transferred to Multan for a case

A new bench was formed to hear contempt notices against deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif and daughter Maryam Nawaz after the full bench of the Lahore High Court formed earlier was dissolved.

Chief Justice of LHC Mohammad Yawar Ali Khan formed a new full bench, headed by Justice Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi, after Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan of the earlier bench was transferred to Multan for a case.

The bench will also include Justice Shahid Mubeen and Justice Aatir Mahmood. Justice Mubeen will take Justice Bilal's position on the bench.

Earlier this month, the LHC issued a notice to Nawaz and his daughter Maryam 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 stated that Maryam denounces and contradicts the judiciary’s remarks and position on both social media and in public gatherings.

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.

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