ISLAMABAD, Dec 31: The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, has taken suo motu notice of violation of wedding meal ban by two ministers and set the hearing for Jan 5.

The chief justice has put Federal Water and Power Minister for Liaquat Jatoi and NWFP Law Minister Malik Zafar Azam on notices and directed them to submit replies to the charge by Jan 4.

Notice was also issued to the attorney-general to assist the apex court during hearing of the case. The chief justice has also summoned the district coordination officers of Hyderabad and Kohat on Jan 5 to explain why a cricket stadium in Hyderabad and the Garrison Club in Kohat were allowed to be used for the valima ceremonies.

Thousands of guests reportedly attended the valima ceremonies to celebrate weddings of the sons of the ministers in Hyderabad and Kohat.—PPI