Babar_Awan_File_670
Former minister Babar Awan. — File photo

ISLAMABAD: After recording a testimony from the prosecution on Tuesday, the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing in the contempt of court case against Babar Awan to June 27, DawnNews reported.

A two-judge bench of the apex court, comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and Justice Athar Saeed, heard the case against the former minister.

Attorney-General Irfan Qadir who is the prosecutor in the case presented a CD of Awan's contentious press conference before the court as evidence.

Qadir also recorded a statement which was included in the case's record.

During the hearing, Awan raised objection over the prosecution's evidence and said that the press conference did not constitute contempt of court. Awan further pleaded that the court does not accept it as evidence.

He further said that he had unconditionally apologised to the court, however, the court had not accepted his apologies.

The former minister moreover said that he should not be treated as Dr Aafia Siddiqui was treated by US authorities.

Responding to which, Justice Ejaz said that Awan's case had no resemblance with Aafia's case and that Awan would be given the opportunity to defend himself.

Subsequently, the court rejected Awan's objections to the evidence submitted and adjourned the case's hearing to June 27.

The former minister was indicted on May 17 for committing contempt and bringing the Supreme Court into hatred and ridicule by defaming and scandalising through his Dec 1, 2011, press conference.

He is facing the contempt charge for his media jibe against judiciary at a press conference soon after the Dec 1, 2011, order of the Supreme Court in which an inquiry was ordered to investigate the memogate scandal by Tariq Khosa.

Awan, along with some cabinet colleagues, had launched a tirade and openly attacked the family of Justice Asif Khosa for being brother of Tariq Khosa.

The former minister twice tendered apology before the Supreme Court, especially to Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, for his utterances in the press conference against the judiciary.

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