May 23, 2006	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 24, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, May 22: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered trial courts to quickly conclude trials of people who violated the apex court’s ban on meals at wedding receptions and summoned a ruling party MNA from Taunsa Khawaja Shiraz.

A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, also directed the state to challenge acquittal of Malik Fakhar Azam, brother of the NWFP law minister, who was recently exonerated by a trial court.

The bench was hearing contempt of the court cases against a number of respondents for violating the ban on wedding reception meals.

Provincial law officer Saeed Shangla was directed to file an appeal against the trial court’s decision.

When Fakhar Azam told the court that the trial court had acquitted him because he had not offered any food at the valima reception of his son, Nayyar Azam, the chief justice asked him to prove that no food was served at the reception, which was held at the Kohat Garrison Club and a number of guests were reportedly served food over there.

Other violators included Sindh’s Director-General Health Dr Hadi Bakhsh Jatoi, a close relative of federal minister Liquat Jatoi; a naib district nazim from Vehari, Yusuf Kasiana and Rasheed Gujar, a tehsildar from Lahore.

During the hearing, district and sessions judges concerned submitted reports regarding disposal of cases in which many violators were acquitted, some were convicted but many were still under trial.

Trial courts were also directed to accelerate the pace of disposal of cases and submit a report to the Supreme Court.

The hearing was later adjourned for a month.