Pakistan

Petitioner approaches SHC to start contempt proceedings over Nawaz's comments

Syed Mahmood Akhtar Naqvi says PM's remarks against judiciary deserve contempt proceedings.

Naeem Sahoutara October 12, 2013

prime minister nawaz sharif has been attributed to say that the judges are too scared to give a verdict in the face of karachi 039 s current law and order scenario photo afp file

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been attributed to say that the judges are too scared to give a verdict in the face of Karachi's current law and order scenario. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

KARACHI: Civil rights activist, Syed Mehmood Akhtar Naqvi, has approached the Sindh High Court seeking action against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for remarking that the judges are too afraid to give verdicts under the prevailing law and order situation in Karachi.

The petition was filed in the high court on Saturday, citing the premier had contemned the judiciary.

Naqvi claimed the prime minister made the remark while making an announcement of the special anti-terror force on October 10.

"The alleged contemnor, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif's remarks [are] tantamount to ridicule [of] the honorable judges and committing contempt of the court," Naqvi claimed in his plea.

The activist said that these remarks were not only widely read and heard on the print and electronic media within the country, but also left a negative perception outside the country.

He pleaded the court to summon the entire record relating to the premier's remarks, and then initiate contempt proceedings against him under Article 204 of the constitution and the Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003.