LAHORE: A Lahore High Court full bench on Tuesday issued a notice to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on a civil miscellaneous application questioning airing of alleged anti-judiciary speeches despite an order passed by the court.

As the bench resumed hearing of a case about alleged anti-judiciary speeches, petitioner’s counsel Azhar Siddique stated that the bench had previously passed a speaking order for compliance of Pemra laws that did not allow broadcasting or airing of contemptuous stuff against superior judiciary and its judges.

However, he said, the Pemra did not play its role that showed that it was not ready to act in accordance with law, which was clear contempt of court within the meaning of Article 204 of the Constitution.

The counsel also referred to a recent interview of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to an English daily and said the interview fell within the meaning of treason.

Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, who headed the bench, however, told the counsel that it was a different matter and also not pending before the bench. The judge observed that the petitioner could file a separate application to this effect.

The bench issued notice to Pemra on the new application moved by the lawyer against the alleged violation of the court’s order about airing of anti-judiciary speeches.

Meanwhile, PML-N MNA Waseem Akhtar, MPA Naeem Safdar, municipal committee Chairman Ayaz Khan, Vice Chairman Ahmad Latif, Nasir Khan and Jamil Khan submitted their unconditional apology in writing in a case of an alleged anti-judiciary rally in Kasur.

However, the bench pointed out several mistakes in the content of the apology and directed all of them to resubmit it after removing the errors. The bench also expressed dismay over the absence of Additional Advocate General Shan Gull, who was appointed as prosecutor by the bench in the contempt proceedings against the Kasur leaders. The bench adjourned further hearing till May 24.

The two lawmakers and others had been indicted in a contempt of court case though they had tendered a verbal unconditional apology and maintained that they had complete regard for the courts. The bench had directed them to submit the apology in writing.

Kasur District Bar Association President Mirza Naseem and others had filed the petitions pleading that the protest rally taken out by the parliamentarians and local government leaders affiliated with the ruling PML-N was a planned conspiracy against the judiciary.

The petitioners said the act of the respondent parliamentarians amounted to contempt of court and they were all liable to be punished under the law. They asked the court to also declare the respondents disqualified and initiate contempt proceedings against them.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2018