Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday warned the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former state minister for interior Talal Chaudhry to ensure presence of his counsel in the contempt of court case against him on next hearing.

A three-member bench comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmad, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and Justice Faisal Arab noted that if counsel for Talal Chaudhry does not appear on the next hearing, it will be written down that Talal is representing himself in the case.

At the onset of hearing, a lawyer associated with Kamran Murtaza, senior counsel for Talal, told the court that Kamran Murtaza was feeling unwell, besides, he was also engaged in the marriage ceremony of his nephew and niece, ergo he could not turn up. He requested the court to adjourn the case.

Expressing dismay over the absence of the counsel, Justice Gulzar Ahmad said that a special bench was constituted for this case. He said two judges of the bench had come from Karachi, specifically, for the case. He said funds of the state were spent on bringing both the judges to Islamabad to hear the case.

He said Kamran Murtaza was well aware about all this and on last hearing he had obtained the date of June 19 on his choice. The court directed the associate counsel to argue the case. He, however, stated that he did know about the case, instead he was just asked by his senior counsel to request the court for adjournment.

The court then directed Talal to ensure the presence of his counsel on June 21. The court also directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) General Manager Muhammad Tahir, who is a witness in the case, to ensure his presence on next hearing.

During the brief hearing of the case, Talal, who is contesting the July 25 general elections from NA-102 Faisalabad, requested the court to adjourn the case – citing his engagements in the electioneering – until the conduct of elections.

He said after July 25 general elections, the court could conclude the case within two days.

However, Justice Gulzar said: “Taking part in the election is your personal matter and the court has nothing to do with it.” The court directed Talal to ensure presence of his lawyer on next hearing, adding that if Kamran Murtaza was not available, any other counsel should appear and argue the case. The court made it clear that no adjournment would be granted on next hearing.

The court also re-issued notices to 17 witnesses of Talal Chaudhry. The additional attorney general, who is a prosecutor in the case, was also issued a notice.

The court had recorded the statements of two, out of total 17, defence witnesses of Talal in the contempt case. Both the defence witnesses, who had testified in favour of Talal Chaudhry, were later cross examined by the prosecutor.

Earlier on May 21, Talal Chaudhry had recorded his statement under Section 342 of Code of Criminal Procedure. He had requested the court to withdraw the contempt charges against him by not casting doubts on his intentions about the dignity of the court.

He had contended that his January 24, 2018 press talk was edited with mala fide intention and many of his sentences were removed from the actual substance to make it controversial. He had stated that his January 27, 2018 speech was not against any of the judges. He had contended that the video of his speech that was kept on record was also edited to spoil the actual and original context of his speech.

Talal was indicted on March 15, 2018, on contempt of court charges. Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar had taken suo motu notice of Talal’s alleged derogatory and contemptuous statements and speeches at PML-N public gatherings against the apex court.

Published in Daily Times, June 20^th 2018.