IHC bench admits contempt of court petition against Nawaz, Maryam

ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad High Court (IHC) bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq here on Monday admitted for initial hearing, a petition where the petitioner has been seeking contempt of court proceedings against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter for contemptuous remarks against the judiciary.

Petitioner Adnan Iqbal advocate has cited Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Safdar and Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) as respondents.

The petitioner adopted that the respondents have been scandalizing the courts by uttering, issuing and broadcasting such statements ridiculing the judiciary. "Such instances not only bring the honorable courts into hatred, ridicule and contempt but break the trust of the nation on one of the pillars of the state which is likely to cause riots and turmoil", the petition said.

He said that after Supreme Court on July 28, 2017 announced its judgment in Panama case, the respondents issuing statements in violation of the contempt of court ordinance 2003. Respondents have been issuing statements which were televised on national media. In Kot Momin public meeting on January 6, Nawaz Sharif while addressing to Supreme Court said "this is referendum against your decision, come and see your decision rejected by the nation".

Referring to the decision of his disqualification, Nawaz Sharif said "ask the decision that is causing riots in the state, don't ask Shahid Khaqan Abbasi about the snail pace development of the state, ask the decision".

That Maryam Safdar also ridiculed superior judiciary. She pointed finger at the honesty, bravery and upholding rule of law. The petitioner said that Pemra is not blocking such hateful and ridiculing remarks passed against the judiciary.

The petitioner prayed to the court to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the respondents under section 3, 4, 5 of the contempt of court ordinance 2003 read with article 204 of the Constitution. Respondents may be refrained from issuing such statements tend to bring hatred, ridicule and contempt for the judiciary, the petitioner also prayed. He also prayed that Pemra may be directed not to broadcast such statements.