Denying court’s decision, Riaz’s counsel Dr Basit presented a signed statement to the judicial bench hearing the case which stated that the charge against his client was “ambiguous” and that he did not understand the indictment.
Dr Basit maintained that the text of the charge did not contain the words explaining that Riaz had spoken any contemptuous words against the judiciary.
Attorney General Irfan Qadir also concurred with Dr Basit.
Riaz’s counsel further said that the court should include the contemptuous words in the text so as to explain charge against his client, because he would have to clear his stance.
The judicial bench observed that the Supreme Court has all the relevant record that explains the contempt done by Riaz.
Petitioners Ashraf Gujjar and Liaquat Qureshi maintained that the recording of Riaz’s contemptuous press conference could also be merged with the text so that the charge becomes clear to Dr Basit.
The hearing was adjourned till August 29.
The court also dismissed the request of Riaz’s counsel, Dr Abdul Basit, to adjourn the hearing till any decision on the contempt law is taken. Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed that the whole world knows about the importance of the case and that a timely decision was needed.
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.
COMMENTS (26)
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Baby Arsalan must be taken care of by his father. He became a millionaire within a few years by using his fathers name and address. But his poor innocent father did not know what his son was doing – he did not even know who was paying for his wife’s expenses for the foreign trips. Has anyone seen such a simple innocent and honest man? He is an angel really! God has sent him to look after all of us. So what is wrong if he is looking after Baby Arsalan? All officers of all investigating agencies are prejudiced and biased. So Baby must be left alone and be allowed to do what he pleases.
As you sow so you will reap
Shame on CJ for tarnishing the image of Supreme Court just for the sake of saving the skin of his son. If his son is culprit, he should be punished just like a common criminal. PCO CJ is referring to the precendents of the justice of Hazrat Umar Farooq (R.A.) but acting like a thug.
This guy got what he deserved. He thought just because he was a billionaire - he could HIRE tv shows and say whatever he wanted to say to defame the honorable SC.
It's a good thing SC put a stop to him by indicting him. Now everyone who was controlling this puppet to defame the CJ knows that their plans failed.
The Pakistani nation is with you CJ + SC!
It is so strange in Pakistan that these people run their mouths and then apologies unconditionally and go home laughing. This is so sad that the elite people in Pakistan has no respect for the laws of land and constitution, no wonder when the government is flaunting their disrespect for the laws then the rest of the nation do it too and that is why Pakistan is considered around the world a failed and lawless country. I feel so ashamed.
What a joke! The real culprit Arsalan is free and under the protection of the supreme court while anyone that dares say anything against him will be punished by court.
This seems like Adl-e-Jahangiri. Double standards, biases, personal vendettas, shallowness, politics, and financial corruption have been the only notable traits of these judges. Justice Munir appears an angel compared to them.
It's seems inevitable. Malik Riaz should start holding press conferences, since the sentence will be the same anyways. Why worry about telling the while story about the crimes of PCO chief justice and his son.
It is obvious that the Supreme Court is finghting a lone battle against corruption and abuse of authirty by those in power. It is not an easy task, when the morality of wider section of society is in question, and the majority has a vested interest in joining hands agaisnt the opposite. The son of the Chief Justice has let him down. It so happens with all the great men in power, for the fact, that they are not able to pay the desired attention to their families in pursuit of high standards of life and carreer. But all the great men rise above occasions, and deliver justice/ serve the comon good. I only wish and pray that the god be kind to the hon'able chief justice and give him strength to stay focussed and bear with the setbacks he may have to receive at the hands of rulers or men in power.
Is this martial law court?
I think the thief of justice has done good job?
Rough Justice Awaits Malik Riaz. He never thought that he might become a symbol of failings justice system. The trial would would raise many doubts about its fairness, with the case being handled by judges who may have been appointed, promoted by the influential father of his opposite party. It is believed that bench is unsympathetic to the rights of defendant and their lawyers than would have been in another bench.
This is for sure whoever talks about bias judiciary, which was earlier scraped by the former Army Chief Pervez Musharraf and is nowadays restored by democratically elected government will be inducted in contempt of court charges. I m sorry to say that judicial dictatorship is prevailed everywhere in the country which has forcibly engaged the Government of Pakistan in the only one case of NRO out of many others since last three and half years to obey its order and right a letter to Swiss Authority, which is constitutionally (controversial), instead of work for the betterment of the vulnerable people of the motherland.
Punishing the victim instead of culprit?
They will indict Malik Riaz for contempt but not Arsalan Iftikhar and Chaudhry Iftikhar for corruption.
Biased! Biased!! Biased!!!
Timely decision was needed - not just the whole world your honour, the entire cosmos had its eyes on the SC!
Whole world what? Since when the whole world has become so stupid to worry about this case? We really deserve a better judiciary.
What about Arsalan case? The nation is certainly waiting for that to be decided.
Contempt of Court Law is now equated and parallel with Blasphemy Law. Citizens of Pakistan should be careful when talking about Supreme injustice.
Bravo Supreme Court! Super quick decision, But Arslan Iftikhar Case Inquiry still remain suspended... DOUBLE STANDARDS ?
Can a decision be made by the Courts while an appeal is being heard separately?
I Like (:
Malik Riaz did great in developing housing schemes but unfortunately bacame a proxy for someone which he should not have done. All those who have seen his work and lived in in his colonies have held him in high esteen, but with this act of contempt he has lost the symphaties of many admirers. He should now openly opologise for his wrong doing and regain the lost trust
is he going to jail? what about land snatched from the poor by Malik Riaz.