Daniyal Aziz submits reply to Supreme Court in contempt case

ISLAMABAD: Privatization Minister Daniyal Aziz on Friday submitted a written reply in a contempt case to Supreme Court of Pakistan.

A three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Sheikh Azmat Saaed, heard the case.

At the outset of court proceedings, the minister through his counsel submitted a reply in response to a show-cause notice seeking explanation as to why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against him for making contemptuous and derogatory remarks against the judiciary.

The defence lawyer made a requisition for the recording of his client’s speech making derogatory remarks against the judiciary.

To which, Justice Saeed said the video clip would be provided to him.

The bench then enquired the lawyer whether he has any video recording to play at courtroom.

At which, the defence lawyer responded negatively and said the written reply has been submitted to the court.

The court then adjourned the hearing till March 6.

On Monday, the top court had issued a show-cause notice to Aziz over his contemptuous remarks against the judiciary. The PML-N leader appeared before the bench and sought time to submit his response in the case.

The bench observed that the minister made inappropriate remarks about the judiciary, which were telecast by various television channels on December 15. These remarks, prima facie, constituted contempt of the court, it said.

On February 2, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar took a suo motu notice of the federal minister’s remarks against the judiciary.

Earlier, the court had issued a show-cause notice to State Minister Talal Chaudhry, which said, “You have made derogatory and contemptuous speeches and statements at public gatherings, telecast by different TV channels.”

The speeches, prima facie, constituted interference with and obstruction of the process of the court as well as aimed at belittling the stature of this apex court within the contemplation of Article 204 of the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973, read with Section 3 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003, it added.