Iqbal tenders unconditional apology to LHC

Justice Naqvi quizzes former minister on similar speeches by other PML-N leaders

LAHORE: Former federal minister for interior Ahsan Iqbal submitted his written reply to the Lahore High Court (LHC) in response to a contempt notice, saying that he has utter respect for the courts and always bowed down before the law.

Iqbal appeared before the court along with his counsel Azam Nazir Tarrar, who urged the full bench headed by Justice Mazhar Ali Akbar Naqvi to discharge all proceedings against the former federal minister.

However, Justice Naqvi told Iqbal that he could have adopted a legal approach to express his reservations regarding the remarks of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, but he chose not to do so.

“I can never think of disgracing or disobeying the court,” said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader as he informed the court that being the interior minister then, he had the information about foreign elements conspiring against the country’s stability.

“Did you ever teach this lesson to other leaders of your party,” the judge asked the former minister, referring to anti-judiciary speeches by Danyal Aziz, Talal Chaudhry, Nehal Hashmi and Maryam Aurangzeb.



Iqbal requested the court not to punish him for the sins of others, adding that what he did was not intentional. He also tendered an unconditional apology before the bench.

On the bench’s order, a video of the PML-N leader’s objectionable speech was also exhibited and the hearing was adjourned till June 11.

The bench had issued a notice to the former minister to explain ‘anti-judiciary’ remarks made in response to observations by the CJP about his involvement in the appointment of vice chancellor at a women university.

Meanwhile, the bench also directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to submit a detailed report on petitions against anti-judiciary speeches by deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and other leaders of the PML-N.

The bench also sought a copy of an SC order regarding the pardon given to two of the contemnors involved in staging an anti-judiciary rally in Kasur.