SC assures Daniyal of fair trial

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Monday assured Minister for Privatisation Daniyal Aziz that the trial in the contempt of court case against him will be fair and transparent.

Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, who heads the three-member bench hearing the case, remarked: “The trial will be transparent as per the Constitution.”

The bench directed that a list of prosecution witnesses be provided to Daniyal’s counsel.

Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel were the other bench members.

The trial is likely to start from Friday, March 30, as the court has already appointed Rana Waqar as prosecutor in the case.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar had taken suo moto notice of Daniyal’s contemptuous speeches against the apex court with special reference to Panama case against the then prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

The court indicted Daniyal on March 13. Justice Mushir Alam, a member of the bench, had read out the charge sheet. Daniyal, however, pleaded not guilty and said he will contest the case.

As per the charge sheet, Daniyal obstructed the court proceedings and brought hatred and scandal to the court in connection with three statements he delivered last year.

On Monday, the court observed that it did not want to prejudice the case and a list of witnesses should be provided to Daniyal’s counsel, Ali Raza, so that he may prepare for cross-examining the witnesses.

The court further observed that the accused would be given ample opportunity to defend himself.

Daniyal told the judge that he had not denied his statements but the way these were reported was objectionable.

Law officer Rana Waqar told the bench that there were two prosecution witnesses including a correspondent of an Urdu daily namely Sajid Hussain and DG Monitoring at the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Haji Adam Khan.

Justice Azmat reminded the law officer that he was attorney for the State of Pakistan and not for a specific person.

The judge also told the counsel for defence that no frivolous questions should be asked. Later, the court adjourned the hearing till Friday.