‘Contempt law not without flaws’

The Supreme Court resumed hearing petitions against the contempt law, according to a private TV channel.
A five-member bench of the court comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Shakirullah Jan, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Jawad S Khawaja and Justice Tassaduq Jilani was hearing 27 petitions filed against contempt of court law.
The federation’s counsel Abdul Shakoor Paracha said that parliament’s authority could not be challenged arguing that the law does not restrict the powers of judiciary.
Earlier on Monday, the court tried to pacify the parliamentarians by saying that the court always sought their wisdom.
Chief Justice remarked democracy would continue if dictatorship is not supported people in power.
He said the way to authoritarianism is paved when institutions exceeded their jurisdictions.
He further added that the government’s claim that contempt law was without flaws was incorrect. All matters of public interest could be taken up in courts, he added.
“The black coat brought revolution in the country,” he observed adding that the judges do not have Kalashnikovs but civil society and media strengthen the judiciary.
When counsel of the federal government talked about the reign of Zia-ul-Haq, Chief Justice stopped him from uttering any words about politics.
Government’s counsel asked the government to exercise restrain as general elections are at hand.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary said the apex court has set many examples for implementing the rule of law.