A three-member bench, headed by Justice Shakirullah Jan, rejected Riaz’s plea seeking immunity for his non-appearance in the court and ruled that he is bound to appear in the hearings until the court directs him not to.
Justice Jan directed Riaz’s counsel, Dr Abdul Basit, to submit an application to the court, explaining what kind of exemption his client seeks in the case.
Dr Basit informed the court that his client had come to Pakistan for the last hearing while his medical treatment was underway. He further said that Riaz’s ailment is such that it “could not be revealed in the court.”
The court further said that it will continue hearing the case and issued notice to Attorney General Irfan Qadir.
The attorney general has been assigned as a prosecutor in the case.
Riaz had tendered an unconditional apology for his press conference in which, with a pocket-sized copy of the Holy Quran in his hand he had hurled serious, but contradictory charges against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and his son, Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, on an issue that is sub judice, and in defiance of an apex court order to speak to the media.
In his apology, he had said that his presser had given the court an impression that he was targeting Chief Chaudhry and his family.
He had claimed that in some of the meetings he had with the chief justice, the incumbent registrar of the Supreme Court and Dr Iftikhar, the chief justice’s son, were also present.
COMMENTS (30)
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Contempt of court is being used by the SC to flog everybody who even remotely challenges the CJ's authority. This is getting to be quite draconian!
@Ali: Charity is part of the publicity. In our folk stories we have story of "Jugga Daku" who used to loot the rich and spend some on the poor. In Pakistan such people make money by usurping Government lands, by evading taxes and by fleecing Government institutions. Land Mafia in Pakistan operates by bribing the Government machinery and the lower judiciary. When you have tons of easy money you can spend a part of it on charity.
U loot billions from common people..... then bribe officials by spending some millions....then buy media with thousands and perform charity with hundreds to become self proclaimed human savior !!
Alas Chief justice is alone fighting these mafias and now they all have come together to damage the integrity of SC !! Some elitist who have plots and bungalows in bahria town would be calling Malik Riaz their Godfather..!!
No one is above law !! No one has an authority to target SC or judiciary if decision are not in their favor but alas we are ruled by those who despise laws !!
Mr Arsalan is the only person in Pakistan who is doing no job no business but still driving LAND ROVER and staying in Europe................
Foe people commenting on the characted of Malik Riaz should see his charity and welfare works. The problem with us is that we make specific institutions and people sacred.
@Khalq e Khuda: I am sure you have seen with your own eyes with what you have wrote. This name of yours "Khalq-e-Khuda" you will really be answerable (though everyone will be answerable to Allah) to all your words.
When judges behave like SHOs.... I am sure there must be a Khalil Gibran quote for the occasion.
With his ill gotten money, Malik Riaz has corrupted the whole administration. With his money making connections with the presidency, this man has become the king maker. Using his money and influence on presidency, he has managed to place his choicest people in the top slots of investigative and accountability institutions of Pakistan. Thanks to President Zardari because with his active cooperation Malik Riaz has been able to destroy the accountability system of Pakistan.
Absolutely pathetic how he is being made out to be the criminal. And today we hear that Arsalan has challenged the SC's own order authorising the Attorney General to refer the matter to the investigation team. One has to be truly blind to believe that Arsalan had nothing to do with this and daddy dearest has no idea what he was up to. I suspect Arsalan's application in court will see the Attorney General's investigation team removed from the case and some other more favorable committee formed. C'mon everyone; don't you smell a rat here? Arsalan appealing a judgment of the SC? What's daddy dearest up to now?
If only our people were educated enough they would realise the base of every advanced and cultured society is law. The qualities of 'balance of power' and 'checks and balances' between all three pillars ( judiciary, legislature, executive) is the core of a democratic system. Our legislature and executive has gone wild exploiting the law so now judiciary remains the only hope to bring back the balance. Law is equal for all, rich or poor. Keep up the good work dear chief justice!
Clearly the Supreme Court judges and their families are above law! They are free to make comments against other pillars of the state, humiliate anyone they want, misbehave with lawyers, ridicule public office holders, grabs plots worth millions, take bribes in cash or for their sons in Monte Carlo and above all jail people for contempt if they raise a finger at the conduct of judges.
This guy has been evading arrest despite court orders for over three weeks, with Islambad police and rangers actually physically stopping Rawalpindi police from carrying out court orders. This indictment is just a sham! For Malik Riaz is bank rolling DHA islambad and when you have the army on your side, nothing bad happens to you.
Nobody plays fair.. whether it is judiciary or executive or powerful "A".. Playing fair is a great crime in this land of pure(?)..
If only Malik Riaz's father had been a Justice of thr Supreme Court..........
Shameful act of Malik Riaz. He is now trying to prove his innocence through the advertisements on TV about his humanitarian services which further dis-credit his personality.
I don't think he can get fair trial, I may be right or may not be. All it is retaliation. God bless all.
Its just the galactical size ego of our honourable judges and nothing else. Instead of taking steps to provide prompt justice to ordinary people for which they are employed in the first place, the judges are involved in these petty issues.
Emotional comments are not called for. What needs to note is how 1-3 percent of 180-million population control economy n run country. Further note how these corrupt elite laugh after conviction, most shameless expressions on their faces. During four plus years, With all fairness it could be said that almost whole judicial system was kept busy by these 1-3 percent elites matter, as if no one else live in this country. Shame, shame and shame
Malik Riaz has unfortunately let himself being used by someone every one knows. He in a way tried to pull down and discredit judiciary but to bad luck of his and his mentors the judges are in no mood to get intimidated
@SM How do you know all this?
supereme court is way way more credible than these shadowy characters.
Judiciary is the weakest of the 3 pillars of constitution. Legislature derives its strength from the people's mandate from time to time - Executive from having the arms of the law. Judiciary is entirely dependent on the goodwill and righteousness of the people and their support in case if other pillars disregard its orders.
So, it is essential for Judiciary to maintain its dignity, aloofness and outright fairness in all its actions. CJ Ifthikar is undermining the judiciary. He validated the PCO and undermined the constitution. He was involved in shady deals and now he is openly confronting Parliament and executive.
I think there is enough ground for his impeachment. If Civilian representatives had any sense they'd send out a strong message to Judiciary that encroachment of Parliamentary rights won't be tolerated. If CJ still insists on misinterpreting intent of parliament & law - then he should be impeached.
Malik sb. you tried to become an instrument of corrupt people now you have to face the consequences.
The worse thing that happened during the entire course, was the back stabbing of the people of Pakistan by the Judiciary. People stood with these judges that they will bring justice and rule of Law, but they proved that integrity is not their forte.
@Iram: This is justice our Supreme Court style!!!
If the courts continue to defy the constitution of Pakistan and interpret constitution in their own interest and outside the meaning of the word, we will have ever increasing number of Contemers.
The culprit is wandering and the complainant is facing the music.