Contempt accused get last chance

LAHORE

THE Lahore High Court full bench led by Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah once again accepted Bar leaders’ request Friday and deferred hearing of contempt proceedings against contempt accused Sher Zaman Qureshi without his presence before the bench. The other accused Qaisar Abbas turned up before the court.

The court warned that it would be the last opportunity for the accused to appear before the court; otherwise, the court would proceed in accordance with the law for Qureshi’s production.   

Earlier, the courtroom became a no-go area for the litigants and the protesting lawyers Friday as heavy contingents of police had cordoned off the courtroom after sealing all the ways leading to the area, apparently in a move to stop rowdy lawyers from entering the court premises and causing disturbance to the hearing of a contempt case against the LHC Bar Association, Multan bench president.

Hundreds of lawyers gathered in the LHC compound before the start of hearing of contempt case. They were shouting slogans against the chief justice and in favour of lawyer community and unity.

A group of lawyers against black coats’ repeated hooliganism was also present on the premises to express their solidarity with the LHC. However, no one was allowed to enter the prohibited area, except lawyers’ leadership. Later, the court issued written order and adjourned the hearing of the case until August 21.

The court wrote in its order that Pakistan Bar Council Vice-Chairman Ahsan Bhoon, LHCBA president Ch Zulfiqar Ali, senior leader Asma Jahangir and members of Punjab Bar Council Farhad Shah and Ghulam Sarwar Nahang appeared before the court and unconditionally undertook and assured it that the PBC and PbBC would initiate disciplinary proceedings against the contemnor Sher Zaman Qureshi and would ensure his presence before the court on next date of hearing, August 21.

“The bar leaders have also unanimously undertaken that if they fail to produce the contemnor before the court on the next date of hearing, they would disassociate themselves from the contemnors and would want the court to proceed against the contemnors in accordance with the law.” The court explained in its order.

The court, however, warned that it would be the last opportunity for the contemnor to appear before the court; otherwise, the court would proceed in accordance with law for Qureshi’s production.