Contempt hearing: Rehman Malik to appear in person

ISLAMABAD: Admonishing Interior Minister Rehman Malik for not appearing during proceedings, the Supreme Court adjourned the contempt of court case against Malik on Wednesday, issuing summons for ensuring his availability during the next hearing. The two member bench of the apex court, comprising Justice Nasirul Mulk and Justice Ejaz Chaudhry, remarked that the minister was not taking court proceedings seriously and was resorting to delaying tactics. During the hearing, Malik’s lawyer, Chaudhry Azhar, requested the court to allow more time to file a reply, stating that the minister was attending a federal cabinet meeting but would be available to attend court proceedings should the judges so require. However, the bench ordered Malik to appear in court at the next hearing and adjourned the case till further notice. The apex court had issued a notice against Malik for engaging in contempt of court during the Pakistan Steel Mills case for allegedly influencing the investigation through unlawful means.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2012.