LAHORE
The Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Justice Shujaat Ali Khan has sought the assistance of a petitioner’s lawyer by March 1 on how a case containing contemptuous remarks against Supreme Court judges could be heard in the LHC.
Justice Shujaat heard the plea seeking contempt proceedings against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz over allegedly making contemptuous remarks six times during her speech at a convention at Sargodha.
The TLTP learnt that as proceedings commenced, the petitioner’s lawyer advocate Rana Shahid shed light on the contemptuous remarks made by Maryam Nawaz. He argued that others such as Joe Biden and Bill Clinton did not use such language, which means “this practice does not exist in civilised societies”. However, most Pakistani leaders hurl blame at judges and commit contemptuous remarks.
When asked under which article the petition was filed, the counsel told the court that it was filed under Article 204, adding that any person who commits contempt could be charged with six months imprisonment and imposed a fine of up to Rs100,000.
Further, Justice Shujaat asked
against whom the contempt was committed. Directing the lawyer to read sub-clause 2 of Article 187, the judge asked how this case falls under the LHC’s jurisdiction.
“This matter contains the contemptuous remarks about the judges of the superior court,” the judge noted, questioning how the high court could hear this matter. Advocate Rana Shahid responded that Maryam Nawaz had also committed contempt by scandalising the LHC’s judges who were hearing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s protective bail.
“Do you have any judgment in your support?” Justice Shujaat asked. The counsel requested the court to adjourn the case, assuring he would return with supporting court judgments. The court adjourned proceedings till March 1.
Petitioner Muhammad Shahid in his petition implored the court that on February 23, 2023, Maryam Nawaz delivered a speech that was telecasted on most local television channels.
