LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday postponed contempt proceedings against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal until September 5.
Justice Mazhar Ali Akbar Naqvi heading a three-member bench heard a petition against Iqbal along with 17 other PML-N leaders for passing anti-judiciary remarks.
Iqbal’s counsel informed the court that the former interior minister had already submitted an unconditional apology over the court proceedings against his contemptuous remarks.
The high court bench in response questioned if Iqbal had also accepted his mistake. He added that the apology rendered to the court was more praise than a apology.
The bench asserted that PML-N leaders submitted apologies in court and outside passed remarks that their party was being targeted.
Justice Atir Mahmood, high court Judge observed that “if the verdict is in the party’s favor then the judiciary is right, otherwise it is wrong”. He questioned “You tell us, which other party besides yours has commented on the judiciary?”
LHC judge remarked that the court gave verdicts on merit, referring to former premier’s case, the Judge said that he appeared during the previous hearing and the verdict was made on merit.
Iqbal’s counsel requested the court to end the contempt proceedings as his client had already submitted an unconditional apology.
The court adjourned the hearing until September 5.
Earlier a petition had been filed that PML-N leaders had passed derogatory remarks against the Supreme Court which were aired by TV channels. The petition stated that such acts were barred under Article 68 of the Constitution, yet the Media regulatory authority had taken no action.
The petition sought that contempt proceedings should be initiated against the PML-N leaders as the authority failed to implement provisions of PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) and court orders of April 16.