Contempt of court: SC summons Malik Riaz on September 17
Court grants him a day’s immunity.
ISLAMABAD:
While granting a day’s immunity to real estate magnate Malik Riaz in the contempt case against him, the Supreme Court denied giving him further relief and directed him to appear in the court on September 17.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and Justice Ijaz Chaudhry, presided over the hearing. Riaz however was not present at the hearing. His counsel, Advocate Dr Abdul Basit told the court that his client had filed an application seeking time to go abroad for medical treatment.
However, a petitioner named Ashraf Gujjar said that he could receive his treatment in Pakistan as well. Justice Khan responded by saying that it was an individual’s constitutional right to get the treatment of his choice.
The Supreme Court directed Attorney General Irfan Qadir and the petitioners to gather evidence and present witnesses.
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.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 30th, 2012.
While granting a day’s immunity to real estate magnate Malik Riaz in the contempt case against him, the Supreme Court denied giving him further relief and directed him to appear in the court on September 17.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and Justice Ijaz Chaudhry, presided over the hearing. Riaz however was not present at the hearing. His counsel, Advocate Dr Abdul Basit told the court that his client had filed an application seeking time to go abroad for medical treatment.
However, a petitioner named Ashraf Gujjar said that he could receive his treatment in Pakistan as well. Justice Khan responded by saying that it was an individual’s constitutional right to get the treatment of his choice.
The Supreme Court directed Attorney General Irfan Qadir and the petitioners to gather evidence and present witnesses.
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.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 30th, 2012.