Nawaz, Maryam served notice over anti-judiciary remarks

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday issued notices to a number of PML-N leaders on a petition seeking action against them for issuing ‘anti-judiciary’ statements.

A bench of the LHC issued notices to deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz, PML-N MNA Talal Chaudhry and Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah for “severely criticizing the judiciary.”

The petitioner contended that the ruling party leaders maligning the judiciary in their speeches, which is tantamount to contempt of court.

He, therefore, pleaded with the court to initiate contempt proceedings against them and direct Pemra to stop news channels from airing their speeches targeting the judiciary.

The petition was filed days after the PML-N’s Jaranwala public meeting where former PM Sharif railed against the judges who were part of the bench that disqualified him for being dishonest.

Last week, the court issued a notice to Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) as it heard another petition accusing former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz of delivering ‘anti-judiciary’ speeches in Haripur.

According to the petition, ousted PM Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz committed contempt of court for undermining the judiciary during their speeches in recently held public gathering in Haripur.

Taking up the petition, the LHC bench issued notice to the PEMRA to submit its reply on the next hearing on February 14.

Ousted PM Sharif and his daughter openly raging at Supreme Court and the judges in their speeches following the apex court’s July 28 verdict and letting his arch-rival Imran Khan off the hook on similar charges.

Earlier, the former premier said he had no differences with the apex court, but with the judges who didn’t decide his case on merit.

“The judges welcomed dictators, martial law administrators and the doctrine of necessity, but we never held anyone accountable,” he said.

Sharif said the judges absolved PTI chief Imran Khan of all corruption allegations despite the fact that he admitted to owning an offshore company, concealing assets and benefiting from an amnesty scheme. He lamented that he was ousted over hiding a nominal salary.