The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday adjourned for today (Tuesday) hearing of the contempt of court case against Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, after it was apprised that premier’s counsel Senator Aitzaz Ahsan was unable to turn up due to some ailment.
A seven-judge special bench hearing the contempt case against Gilani consists of Justice Nasirul Mulk, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Athar Saeed. Barrister Gohar, an associate of Aitzaz, submitted an application for adjournment of the case for at least a week.
He informed the court that Aitzaz was ill due to food poisoning, and unable to travel. The court disregarded the application and adjourned the hearing for today.
“Had he listened to us, he would not have had food poisoning”, Justice Nasirul Mulk remarked while smiling. Gohar replied that it was a sheer coincidence, as Aitzaz never missed his duty in his 40-year-old law career. When Gohar insisted the court to adjourn the case for at least a week, Justice Mulk advised Aitzaz to take a heavy dosage to ensure his presence in court today.
If he turns up, Aitzaz will continue his arguments on Article 10-A amidst his contentions that the existing Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003 stood void after incorporation of Article 10-A in the constitution through the 18th Amendment.
He may properly challenge the Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003 today.