Daily Times

KARACHI: The Sindh High has Court issued notices to the Arts Council of Pakistan’s officer-bearers, governing body members and election commissioner on a contempt application for disobeying its orders.

A single bench comprising Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui had taken up the application filed by Dr Buland Iqbal and others seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against the Art Council of Pakistan’s officer-bears, governing body members and others for allegedly flouting the court orders.

Advocate Salim Salam Ansari, who represented the plaintiffs, contended that the court had earlier on Dec 31 last year ruled that the election commissioner of the Arts Council of Pakistan could announce poll results in accordance with the law and provisionally allowed the office-bears and governing body members to carry out its routine activities.

However, he submitted that the alleged contemnors on Nov 30 held a special general body meeting and amended the council’s constitution, which was beyond the scope of routine work. He argued that the court had clarified that the election results would be subject to the outcome of the proceedings. He further submitted that the action of the alleged contemnors was a deliberate contempt of court and tantamount to undermining the authority of the court.