LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday issued notice to the federal government on a petition seeking contempt of court proceedings against Pemra chairman Absar Alam on the charge of scandalizing the judiciary.

Representing the petitioner, Advocate Azhar Siddique pleaded before the court that the Pemra chairman in a recent press conference claimed that the authority had failed to discharge its duty due to stay orders issued by courts. The lawyer said Mr Alam also said the higher courts had been granting stay even against the show-cause notices issued by Pemra.

He said the Pemra chairman disgraced the judiciary of the country and tried to scandalize it. He said the statement of Mr Alam was also a violation of Pemra’s code of conduct. He asked the court to initiate contempt proceedings against Mr Alam for criticising courts.

Justice Shahid Karim heard the arguments and sought reply from the government within two weeks.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2017