Lahore(May 30, 2018): Lahore High Court on Wednesday asked Federal Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal to submit his written response in the contempt of court case and adjourned the hearing till June 5.
During the hearing of the case, Ahsan Iqbal was asked by the honourable judges to speak at a low pitch.
Counsel of Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar told judges that his client wants to present his statement in front of the court by himself, “We have asked for written reply of Ahsan Iqbal” the court replied, Later Iqbal was asked to present his stance, he said that I’m sorry that I could not appear in the last hearing of the case, I was attacked on May 7, Iqbal added.
He said that his statement regarding Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) was a complaint. Ahsan Iqbal said that he has never thought of insulting court. I am a political worker and believe in democracy and judiciary, he added.
The court asked Ahsan Iqbal to speak at a low pitch and the minister was subsequently directed to submit written reply in the court.
Earlier, security was beefed-up on the arrival of the Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal in Lahore High Court.
The Plea for contempt of case proceedings was lodged by Advocate Azhar Siddique against Ahsan Iqbal, stating that Ahsan Iqbal insulted CJP with his remarks, he should be declared disqualified under article 62, 63.
Iqbal met with the Advocate General of Punjab, Asma Hamid regarding proceedings of the case.
On May 7, Lahore High Court adjourned the hearing of contempt case against Interior Minister, Ahsan Iqbal for 15 days, as Ahsan Iqbal failed to appear before the court due to failed assassination attack.
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On the other hand, full-member bench headed by Justice Muzahir Ali Akbar heard the case during which, applicant Azhar Siddiq said that Iqbal criticized judiciary and used indecent language against Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar.
He further said that Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) had on-aired his speech despite the ban. He requested the court to launch contempt of court case against Ahsan Iqbal and ordered PEMRA to stop the broadcast of such speeches.
It is worthwhile to mention here that on April 26, Federal Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal had criticised Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar for allegedly levelling baseless allegation against him.
Addressing a seminar in Islamabad, Iqbal said that the chief justice had “no right to calling-name people”. “You [Justice Nisar] must issue me a charge sheet. If you have evidence, produce it before me. But enough is enough,” Iqbal challenged.
“The chief justice can sit on the bench [and raise allegations]… Ahsan Iqbal had appointed a vice chancellor on someone’s patronage… Mr Chief Justice has a heart. If you can feel disrespected, we too, have feelings and respect,” he said.
Earlier, the chief justice had suspended Prof Uzma Qureshi, the vice chancellor of Lahore College for Women University (LCWU). Justice Nisar also said that he had full knowledge about the role of Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal in her appointment.
During the hearing, when asked about her relation with the interior minister, Prof Qureshi had said that Iqbal was the student of her father. “Attempts have been made to malign me,” she maintained.
CJP Nisar had observed that the court could not tolerate any appointment made without transparency.
A two-judge bench headed by the chief justice was hearing a suo motu case about the appointment of vice-chancellors at the public universities.
It may be recalled, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal was injured in an assassination attempt after addressing a rally in Narowal’s tehsil Kanjrur on May 06.
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After which he was hospitalised for treatment and later was discharged from the hospital.
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LHC Adjourns Contempt Case Hearing Against Iqbal for 15 days
