The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned contempt of court proceedings against former law minister Babar Awan until April 18 after indicating that his unconditional apology would be considered in his presence. A two-member bench comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and Justice Ather Saeed resumed the hearing of a suo motu notice taken against Awan after he passed contemptuous remarks against the apex court while addressing a press conference at the Press Information Department on December 2, 2012. During the hearing, Awan’s counsel Ali Zafar told the court that his client had “great respect for the court”, and wanted to tender unconditional apology.
The bench however noted that it would consider Awan’s apology in his presence on April 18, while turning down his request for an exemption from court appearance. Earlier on April 9, Awan’s counsel filed an application, seeking exemption from personal appearance before the apex court. Zafar had contended in the application that his client intended to have medical examination during his recent visit to India until April 17, thus he might be exempted from personal appearance on medical grounds. On April 2, the SC had adjourned contempt proceedings against Awan due to the unavailability of Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq, who had gone to Quetta where the CJP was hearing a case on the deteriorated security situation in Balochistan. The court then fixed April 10 to frame contempt charge against Awan. Earlier, the court had to frame charges on March 20, when Awan’s counsel failed to show up before the court, delaying proceedings. The court had then fixed April 2 for framing contempt charge against Awan. Babar Awan, along with few other federal ministers, launched a tirade against the Supreme Court on December 1, 2011, soon after it had ordered an enquiry into the memo issue led by Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) former director general Tariq Khosa. Awan passed remarks against the family of a sitting judge of the apex court for being the brother of Tariq Khosa.
SC to consider Awan’s apology on 18th
