ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday rejected Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Tallal Chaudhry’s request seeking time to produce more witnesses in the hearing of the contempt case against him.
The defendant’s counsel presented a list of 17 witnesses and sought time to summon and record statements, during the hearing of a case pertaining to contemptuous statements made by Chaudhry during a rally in January.
Justice Gulzar Ahmed, while turning down the plea, observed the trial cannot be stretched further.
“It is impossible to get hold of all witnesses on a short notice. Some are scared to appear before the court to record their statement,” said Chaudhry’s lawyer.
Justice Ahmed asked why so many witnesses were needed. “Your witness list includes parliamentarians and lawmakers, what will they do by recording their statement?” he said that there was a possibility of the witnesses backtracking their statements.
The SC turned down the request to grant one week’s time and adjourned the hearing until May 24.
On March 15, a three-judge bench of the SC indicted Tallal on contempt of court charges.