Private TV owner ‘feels pain, vomits’ while on way to court

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned until January 14, 2016, hearing of contempt of court case against ARY Television Chief Executive Salman Iqbal and anchorperson Mubasher Lucman for maligning the judiciary while airing a programme.
A three-member special bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and comprising Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry and Justice Mushir Alam, heard the case.
Anwar Mansoor Khan, counsel for ARY television Chief Salman Iqbal, informed the court that his client was on his way to appear before the court; however, suddenly he felt pain in his chest and began vomiting for which he was immediately shifted to hospital.
The counsel also submitted a certificate of the concerned hospital where his client was admitted for treatment. He told thecourt that even he could submit air ticket of his client travelling to appear before the court.
The court also cancelled watching the relevant clips of ARY programme spelling out the contemptuous and derogatory remarks made in the said programme regarding the judiciary.
The court in its order ruled that as one of its member, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry, of the bench is going to retire on December 17, a new bench for hearing the proceeding in the instant case would be constituted and adjourned the hearing until January 14, 2016.
Mubasher Lucman, anchorperson of ARY television, also appeared before the court. Attorney General (AG) Salman Aslam Butt who was to prosecute both ARY Television CEO Salman Iqbal and Mubasher Lucman, also appeared before the court.
The AG in a lighter vein told the court that although Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry is going to call it a day on December 17, still he looks 40.At this the bench, particularly Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry, smiled.
The court on January 5, 2015, had indicted ARY TV CEO Salman Iqbal and anchorperson Mubasher Lucman in a contempt of court case for maligning the judiciary while airing a programme.
The court after rejecting the unconditional apologies, submitted by Salman Iqbal and Mubasher Lucman had framed charges of contempt against them for maligning the judiciary.On court’s direction, the AG had already submitted before the court, the list of evidences, affidavits and other documents in the contempt case.