Contempt proceedings can’t be initiated at anyone’s request: IHC

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has rejected an intra-court order for contempt proceedings against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders, saying that it is a matter between the court and the relevant people, and such proceedings cannot be initiated at anyone’s request.

The intra-court order had asked for initiation of contempt of court proceedings against PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz and former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for criticising former chief justice Saqib Nisar in a news conference.

Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued a written order on the petition of a local lawyer against the decision of a single-judge bench of IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah.

Also read: Judges not immune from public criticism: IHC

The IHC CJ had ruled that the former chief justice was criticised as an individual, and judges are no longer part of the bench after retirement, so this criticism does not amount to contempt of court.

It observed that judges are not above the law and are accountable as well and added that after retirement they had alternative forums of justice as citizens.

The court also ruled that criticism of an independent judge does not affect his work. The use of contempt of court is only permissible if it is in public interest, it said.