PTI chief ’s statements were aimed at “shaking public faith in the administration of justice and undermining the dignity and prestige of the court. PHOTO: IQBAL HAIDER
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Wednesday issued a contempt of court notice to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan for allegedly making derogatory remarks against the top court and its judges.
Taking notice of Imran’s comments at recent news conferences, Justice Chaudhry directed the PTI chief to appear before the court on Friday (August 2) and explain his views pertaining to the judiciary.
“Prima facie it seems that Imran Khan has started a deliberate campaign to scandalise the court and bring the judges into hatred, ridicule or contempt,” Justice Chaudhry noted in his written order.
“Thus, his above acts call for action for contempt of court under Article 204 of the Constitution read with Section 3 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003 … Therefore a notice be issued to him to appear on August 2, 2013 and explain as to why proceedings as envisaged by provisions of the Constitution and law be not initiated against him,” the order added.
A notice was also issued to Attorney General Munir A Malik.
According to the note submitted by the Supreme Court Registrar to the chief justice, Imran Khan, in the July 26 news conference, termed the conduct of the judiciary and the Election Commission ‘shameful’ and claimed it had facilitated rigging in the May 11 elections. It added that the PTI chief made similar remarks on two subsequent occasions.
“On July 29, 2013 he expressed a lack of trust in the judiciary and alleged that the judiciary/Supreme Court had a hand in rigging the recent elections. On July 30, he once again stated that judicial officers acting as returning officers remained controversial in the general elections,” the note maintained.
“Indeed, he [Imran Khan] has used contemptuous and derogatory language against the Supreme Court and its judges,” it read further, adding that the PTI chief’s statements were aimed at “shaking public faith/confidence in the administration of justice and undermining the dignity and prestige of the court, thereby tending to bring the court and judges into hatred, ridicule or contempt.”
“It is hard to understand the outburst of the PTI chairman… Fair comments can be made on judicial verdicts but it is impermissible to scandalise/ridicule the court or its judges. Article 204 of the Constitution read with the Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003 indeed provide for punishment for contempt of Court,” the note stated.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 1st, 2013.
COMMENTS (52)
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I do not understand? How can saying something about judiciary to the press become contempt of court? It is FREEDOM OF SPEECH. In US people give interviews to press all the time and bring up other politicians or judges, they are not dragged into court.Are we becoming Iran? I am not for any political party in PK (I am from PK) but this just doesn't make sense to me. Then call Altaf into court to for threatening people of KHI.
@Dr. Khalid: Remember Dr. when I said last time it seems they are angels ? ,,,,
@Khalid: Can I add my voice to yours. I too often become a victim of not being heard. Although I try my best to remain sensitive to issues I comment on, and try to be mindful of the commenting standard set by Pakistan Tribune.
I hope maturity prevails in IK and PTI. They must stop scandalizing a respected institution. The nation stands with the CJP and SC, not IK!
@Saleem: So growing up would be to remain silent in face of blatant corruption or do deals with murderers and Bhatta Mafia or the hypocrite Mulla ...This has landed us in the mess we are in. Lets try to give honesty some weightage and respect the courage of someone which seems to be rare breed amongst us
Express tribune is no less than those corrupt people. I take time to post a comment and ET doesn't post it. If you are playing favorites, which comment should be posted and which shouldn't only because it was against your favorite politician, YOU WILL LOOSE YOUR CREDIBILITY TOO.
Suppose Ifthikar is arrest everyone that supports Imran’s opinion. What is he? Judicial dictator now?
If Pakistan is a democracy and want to progress towards one then, judiciary needs to stay in its place and understand criticism and questioning is a very important part of every democracy.
May be the Pakistan’s supreme court needs to understand people have a right criticize them in a democracy.
It is absurd to indict somebody for voicing their opinion.
IK is wasting time on Non-issue.... I am happy that I dint vote for PTI.. Security policy is just being delayed because of his delay tactics...
While KPK is burning, IK is running around saying stupid things about the Supreme Court. He is completely incompetent. Cant wait to see him voted out of power.
CJ give me a break.
CJ should read the comments section to get a clear picture how he is perceived in public before serving unnecessary notices.
Now people must have realized that Sir Musharraf did the right thing to suspend Iftikhar Chaudhry. Alas nobody understood that time.
oh this devil first doesn't listen to the petitions or take his famous sou motu for the publicly aired rigging videos(most of us have witnessed live rigging cases).now when IK calls for justice he issues contempt of court. CJP your popularity is drastically going to the bottom
Dear Imran Khan Go and face them its not a shame for you to appear to the court your dignity will never loss. prove each and everything what you said about them. CJ became habitual of appearing everyone to the court as he himself never took positive actions against the unjust.
Keeping in view that dialogues will be shared with us we are not expecting this case when PM appeared and everyone then make jokes of the PPP. you are our true leader.
Everything should be shared.
Two Words: Hor Choopo :)
What Imran Khan is trying to prove by the such these types of given statements against ECP and CJP? Methinks Imran Khan considers himself and his part the angel and the others corrupt.....
IK should appear and speak on the facts what CJ should take into account ... Good Chance for Him to Prove his Valid Points...
As much as I would love for him to go all out against CJp I hope better sense will pevail and Ik will leave this ball or atleast play a forward defensive.
Even if IK apologizes, will that answer the questions about judiciary's biasness? Instead of taking notice on the complaints on rigging, he issues a contempt notice, what a joke!
Keep it up Khan, ur stance is very valid facts can't be change by cost.
We can not force someone to respect us, we need to earn respect and feel sorry to state our CJ failed to earn respect. Arslan was earning millions but he did not notice or showed affect ignorance. Malik Riaz cases are still pending and will remain pending. Every now and then he takes suo moto actually he is fame hungry. Last but not least he is abusing his position with the help of a party or media house.
Jo doosro k liye garha khodta he Wo khud uss me girta he
Remember his and every body's happiness over unconstitutional delimitations in Karachi after announcement of general election schedule to vicitimize MQM. No body supported MQM and it had to face this charge over its reaction to SC decision. Now its IK's turn. Let's see what this tiger does in the court.
Sadly, we live in times when your freedom of speech and truthful statements are termed "Tauheen' If I remember correctly, IK had been almost begging the ECP and Supreme Court to take action against countless rigging complaints and self initiated dharnas. He demanded thumb verifications in 4 constituencies. It takes a big heart to accept results, having known how a lot of seats were stolen. He could have shown his street power but he didn't in light of a peaceful transition.
Is it wrong to demand justice? that atleast the future elections aren't as rigged? He's a clean fish in a dirty pond. IK has been fighting for justice, fought to reistate judges and now he gets this. It's nothing but disgraceful.
Old tricks never fail, IK popularity index (notoriority index is no word in political dictionary) goes high at cost of just few bucks. He will slip out smiling by tendering an apology on account of slip of tongue. Since there is nothing else to perform at least stunts keep us busy.
@Saleem, spot on.
PTI is feeling it now because it is on them, when such things were happening with PPPP, MQM and APML they were happy - double standard it is of IK and PTI
Finally someone took note, this might be the best coming out from SCP in over 3 years. Tell him his true worth CJP, at least i as a Pakistani am with you on this!
Musharraf's has been vindicated for his all decisions.
I feel so bad for IK. He was on the rise, and looks like his fall from grace has started.
IK will criticize anybody and everybody,and all things except TTP et all.
Yeah, What about Arsalan Iftikhar, what about letting HH go, what about the petrol receipts?
The SC has acted according to the law. There is no reason to doubt about that. One of the main reasons for applying the law is to correct and reform unacceptable acts. If after hearing the case, the SC takes a decision that shows that, it will nudge the Pakistani mindset towards positive reactions. You can choose to trust an individual, or an institution manned by Pakistan's finest. Take a stand for our laws or suggest how to improve them. Don't just criticize.
I don't stand with him.
Let the show begin
IK oh! IK, when will you ever learn???
CJ name should be in guinness book of world record for suo moto and contempt of court cases.
His rant is like a child. When he doesn't get what he wants then he trashes everything. If Imran Khan wants to be in politics then he needs to grow up and take things as they come. It is time he proves his mantle where he has an opportunity; K-P.
Imran Khan has great respect for judges and supreme court. However it looks like the judges are offended by his complaints of rigging and electoral irregularities. It would have been far better if CJ or other judges could investigate his complaints rather than sending him notice for " Toheen".
The actions of Imran Khan are very "non-constitutional".
The people of Pakistan , regardless of following PTI or PML or PPP or MQM should realize that Pakistan has a struggling system , and no one anywhere is perfect.
It is very important to respect the law. Even if there are many gaps and area which need rectification , it does not mean that any person should start throwing dirt at the judiciary.
Imran Khan has no comparative competence or credibility or achievements as compared to the Judiciary. He in his personal capacity has no weight to accuse / de-fame the ECP and/or Judiciary.
Even after months passed by , he is still flaming the people with claims of rigging.
People have to understand this. You cant just blindly let your political leader say whatever he feels like. Goes for any political party.
This dirty politician system must be eliminated and Imran Khan is no angel.
Can't help but remember all those gazillion times when IK lauded CJ for his neutrality, bravery and courage. What happened today is a reminder of how fickle minded our politicians and judiciary are and how idiotic there supporters must be feeling today.
ETribune, I'm seeing that some of my posts are not being posted. Please be fair, don't do favorites. Positive criticism is a good tool for progress of a nation, please don't make it the victim of your choices.
Imran Khan is right....we support PTI on his stand on CJ.
Silence is better or truth? Prayer - Truth should prevail.
Imran is 100 % right damn right!!!!
IK the nation stands with you. The truth will prevail.