Islamabad: Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday accepted the apology from the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information & Broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, in a case pertaining to scandalising the judiciary, but issued her a fresh contempt-of-court notice for making a statement regarding a pending criminal proceeding.
###
Last Wednesday, the IHC had issued her a show-cause notice in contempt of court for “maligning” the IHC and commenting on an urgent hearing of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s brother Shahbaz Sharif who through a petition had sought relief for his ailing brother Nawaz Sharif.
###
She had hoped that similar relief would be given to all the under-trial accused.
###
On Friday, as the SAPM appeared before the court, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah told her that she had committed contempt of court on two counts — one for ridiculing the court for entertaining the case as a “special dispensation” and one for trying to influence a pending proceeding of the court related to the bail petition for Nawaz.
###
The IHC chief justice remarked that Prime Minister Imran Khan had carried out a struggle for the rule of law and the court was sure that the premier had never instructed her to use such language.
###
Dr Firdous said she had never intended to commit any contempt of court and tendered an unconditional apology, which the high court later accepted.
###
While accepting her apology, the court, however, issued Awan a fresh contempt notice and directed her to satisfy the court that her press conference was not intended to influence a pending court proceeding. The court cannot overlook matters when the principles of a fair trial are opposed,” remarked Justice Minallah. The IHC sought her reply by Monday.
###
Later, on the court’s directions, Awan was taken to district courts where she witnessed the poor conditions under which the lower judiciary was working. Later, talking to the media, she, along with the bar members, admitted that the courts were working in extremely poor conditions. “I assure you that I shall take up the matter with the prime minister and our government would do all it could to improve the situation,” she said.
###
On October 26, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president Shahbaz Sharif had filed a petition in IHC, requesting the court to hear the bail plea for Nawaz urgently because of the former premier’s “extremely critical condition”.
###
After the hearing, which lasted until evening, the court granted Nawaz bail on medical grounds until October 29 in the Al-Azizia case. Later, on October 29, the court granted him bail for eight weeks on medical grounds.
###
Following the court orders, Awan, at a press conference, had criticised the decision saying that the government would like to see such speedy trials for all under-trial prisoners and in all cases.
###