Asma lashes out at SC over media commission case

By
anjum
-
22
134

The Supreme Court’s decision to publish a list of journalists who were allegedly paid by the Information Ministry from its secret funds drew flak from a lawyer representing journalists who denied receiving any such benefits.

During Thursday’s hearing of the media commission case, former Supreme Court Bar Association president and human rights activist Asma Jahangir criticised the apex court’s decision to publish the list on its website.

“The Supreme Court’s website is not a gossip column. There is a limit to such things,” a visibly angry Jahangir told the bench headed by Justice Jawwad Khawaja.

As the hearing of the case began today, several journalists filed applications saying their names had been falsely included in the said list.

Responding to Asma’s criticism, Justice Khawaja said the list was corroborated and signed by the secretary and director general of the concerned ministry.

Jahangir however said the Supreme Court did not publish the names of hardened criminals on its website.

“Instead you have put oranges and apples in one box,” Asma responded.

Furthermore, Justice Khawaja said the list was published in order to inform the world about the truth; hence, the apex court directed the audit of the list. He also said that the judiciary was not a holy cow.

Moreover, Jahangir said the court should get out of the state of self-righteousness and stop engaging in ‘loose talk’.

Attorney General Irfan Qadir objected to her remarks.

Subsequently, the court adjourned the hearing to May 2.

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22 COMMENTS

    • She has not broken any law, she pays taxes, she has helped many oppressed and weak Pakistanis, she has unveiled tyrants and has stood up to Presidents, Chiefs and Mullahs to stand for our rights.

    • Do you always consider good looks as an important qualification for a lawyer or human rights worker?

  6. Courts have stopped even pretending to have any professionalism or judicial aloofness. Show them up Asma, we need more straight thinking people like you.

  9. She better watch her language, her outburst are pushing SC to hold herin contempt and no one will be sorry if she is held in contempt and that will undo all her good work as a humnatarian. It is a shame that a senior lawyer like her is insulting the SC frequently. In US she would have been hauled to jail for contempt a long time ago.

  11. .
    Any attempt or act of forming, shaping or influencing public opinion is a "no no business" for any judiciary …
    .

    • Well said. Courts have absolutely no role in policy making or with public opinion. The judges show contempt for their office every time they respond to or woo applause or criticism.
      How are they appointed – in practise not in theory? Should judges have to go through a similar process for induction as, say, civil servants or military – transparent competition?

  12. Ehat a shameful,condemnable and sorrowful statement by Asma against hohorable SC.Afterall what part Asma wants to play with Pakistan? Is she trying to copy BB? The Honorable SC must take SUO MUTO ACTION agaisnt this statement for rubbishly challenging the legailty and proper jurijustions .

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