The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday issued pre-admission notices to former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif and other leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for their reaction to the Supreme Court’s verdict in Panama Leaks case.
The petition was filed by a citizen, Amna Malik, through her counsel advocate Azhar Siddique, on which, Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh issued pre-admission notices to the accused and sought replies.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that 17 members of the Parliament used contemptuous language against the judiciary before and after the verdict in Panama papers case.
Azhar Siddique said that on 9th and 10th August, 2017, the respondents, during speeches, committed a severe contempt of court; ridiculed and scandalised judges.
He said that Nawaz Sharif – as an ordinary citizen – was welcomed by PML-N, whereas he was disqualified in view of the 62 (1) (f) of the Constitution of Pakistan.
“In view of the order 5 of the Political Parties Order 2002, he cannot be a member of any political party. So all arrangements for PML-N rally by federal, Punjab, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan governments were not only illegal but unconstitutional as well,” he argued.
The petitioner further maintained that billions of rupees had been invested to aid and assist the ‘contempt of court’ and sedation against the institution protected by Pakistan’s Constitution.
Azhar further argued that Nawaz Sharif had not only committed contempt of court but defamed the judges of Supreme Court of Pakistan, apart from hitting the institution, which was also a crime in view of Article 187.
Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh passed the order on Amina Malik’s petition. The petitioner, making respondents to Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Khwaja Asif, Danyal Aziz, Talal Chaudhary, Maiza Hameed, Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, Pervez Rasheed, Rana Sana Ullah and others of PML-N, asked the court to initiate contempt of court proceedings against them over their controversial speeches.
It was prayed that Nawaz Sharif and others abused and obstructed the process of court and tried to scandalise the court into hatred and prejudice the determination of the matter pending before NAB.
The petitioner also prayed the court to impose ban on Nawaz Sharif’s speeches. After hearing initial arguments, Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh issued pre-admission notices to the parties and sought replies.
LHC raises objection over maintainability of petition
LHC raised objection over the maintainability of contempt of court petition filed against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
LHC’s Justice Mamoon Rashid took up the case for hearing on Tuesday. The court expressed displeasure over non-appearance of any federal cabinet officer before it.
The court while addressing petitioner asked, “How it comes under treason?” The counsel for petitioner Advocate Azhar Siddique said according to the constitution no one could talk against the judiciary and Army but despite this. Nawaz and his associates criticised both state institutions through speeches persistently.
The petitioner also prayed that the court should allow him to make amendments in the petition. LHC, while giving permission to petitioner for making amendments, adjourned the hearing till August 19.
