LHC seeks aid in contempt plea against Maryam Nawaz

Questions how it can hear a case on contemptuous remarks about SC judges; adjourns hearing till March 1

LAHORE:

Lahore High Court's (LHC) Justice Shujaat Ali Khan on Tuesday sought the assistance of a petitioner’s lawyer by March 1 on how a case containing contemptuous remarks against Supreme Court judges could be heard in the LHC.

Justice Shujaat heard the plea seeking contempt proceedings against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz over allegedly making contemptuous remarks six times during her speech at a convention at Sargodha.

As proceedings commenced, the petitioner’s lawyer advocate Rana Shahid shed light on the contemptuous remarks made by Maryam Nawaz.

He argued that others such as Joe Biden and Bill Clinton did not use such language, which means "this practice does not exist in civilised societies". However, most Pakistani leaders hurl blame at judges and commit contemptuous remarks.

Read Petition seeks contempt proceedings against Maryam Nawaz

When asked under which article the petition was filed, the counsel told the court that it was filed under Article 204, adding that any person who commits contempt could be charged with six months imprisonment and imposed a fine of up to Rs100,000.

Further, Justice Shujaat asked against whom the contempt was committed. Directing the lawyer to read sub-clause 2 of Article 187, the judge asked how this case falls under the LHC’s jurisdiction.

"This matter contains the contemptuous remarks about the judges of the superior court," the judge noted, questioning how the high court could hear this matter.

Advocate Rana Shahid responded that Maryam Nawaz had also committed contempt by scandalising the LHC’s judges who were hearing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan's protective bail.

"Do you have any judgment in your support?" Justice Shujaat asked. The counsel requested the court to adjourn the case, assuring he would return with supporting court judgments.

The court adjourned proceedings till March 1.

The petition

Petitioner Muhammad Shahid in his petition implored the court that on February 23, 2023, Maryam Nawaz delivered a speech that was telecasted on most local television channels.

Read More Maryam wants justice first, elections later

He cited six remarks made by the PML-N leader as contemptuous: “Tola of five is responsible for [the] present situation”, “there should be suo muto on the call recordings of judges”, “when [the] long march of Imran Khan failed then conspirators picked judges amongst judiciary”, “if courts wait a person for four days then [a] bad impression goes in public”, “when the establishment threw this garbage then two or three judges picked up that basket on their heads” and “no Fitna like Imran Khan will be blessed by judges of the Supreme Court and will be rescued”.

He contended in his petition that "Maryam Nawaz scandalised the superior court before the whole country and committed contempt offenses".

The petitioner requested the court to summon the PML-N leader and initiate proceedings against her in accordance with the law.