Derogatory speech against CJP: SC issues contempt notice to PPP activist over hate speech

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday issued a contempt notice to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) General Secretary of PS-114 Sindh constituency Masood-ur-Rehman over his derogatory speech against Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed.

A four-member larger bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial, heard the contempt of court proceedings against the PPP activist. The court directed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) should ensure production of the alleged contemner and adjourned the hearing till June 28. The court also issued notice to Attorney General besides directing the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) as well as the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to submit details pertaining to the objectionable speech and other material on the next date of hearing.

During the hearing, the court observed that Masood-ur Rehman Abbasi is the PPP General Secretary of Sindh Assembly constituency PS-14 and made sarcastic and derogatory remarks against CJP.

Justice Umar Ata Bandial observed that the PPP activist had used derogatory words against the CJP, hence it is the responsibility of the Sindh government to ensure his production before the court on the next date of hearing. The court also sought written reply from the PPP activist as well.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan, another member of the bench, observed that the PPP activist had made a speech against the CJP in a very aggressive manner.

At the outset of hearing, Additional Attorney General submitted before the court that as the FIA dealt with the matter pertaining to the derogatory and hate speech, therefore, the agency should also be issued notice for compliance. Then the court issued notices to FIA and Pemra to bring with complete record pertaining to the instant matter and adjourned further hearing.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) the other day also condemned the speech of Masood-ur-Rehman against CJP. The Executive Committee of the SCBA termed the hatred speech of PPP activists against the CJP as an assault on judiciary and had asked the party leadership to issue a clarification and announce its disengagement from such what it called a foulmouthed person and initiate disciplinary action against him.