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SC issues contempt notice to Aamir Liaquat, questions if he should be in the parliament
The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday issued a show cause notice to televangelist Aamir Liaquat for alleged contempt of court on his part, with Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar remarking that "such people should not be in the parliament".
A three-member bench of the apex court, under Justice Nisar's stewardship, issued the notice while hearing a private TV channel's petition against Liaquat, who had missed the same case's hearing yesterday.
After the case proceedings began today with Liaquat in attendance, Jang group's counsel Faisal Iqbal told the court that the TV anchor, in one of his TV programmes, had "accused Geo TV anchor Shahzeb Khanzada of supporting blasphemy convicts".
"He also levelled grave allegations against Najam Sethi," the counsel added. "No one has the right to call anyone infidel or traitor."
At the chief justice's orders, a clip of Liaquat's said shows was played in the courtroom. In the clip, Liaquat, who recently won a National Assembly seat on Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf's ticket, was observed hurling insults at the owner of a private TV channel.
"Do [you] teach the general public this through TV?" Justice Nisar remarked, addressing the TV personality. "A person who does not know what to say at a public forum, should he be in the parliament?"
The chief justice pondered suspending the notification of Liaquat's recent electoral victory.
In February 2017, the Supreme Court had directed Bol News — Liaquat's current employers — to immediately cease airing all "hateful content" or face contempt of court charges.
After watching the content of the video clip today, when the Supreme Court asked Liaquat to explain himself, the anchor claimed that he had used the insulting words for "Narendra Modi and Ajeet Duval".
The chief justice cut short Liaquat's explanation and said: "You are again lying in the court. This drama won't fly here."
The CJP then issued a contempt of court show cause notice to the PTI leader for lying in the court and using abusive language, and gave him two weeks to submit his written reply to the charge.
The case was adjourned until an unspecified date.
This is not the first time that the vitriolic content of Liaquat's shows has landed him in hot water. In December 2017, the Islamabad High Court, via an interim order, had barred him from making television appearances, although the ban was lifted in March 2018.
Comments (94) Closed
In the first ninstance why he was allowed to run for NA seat
Aameen.
My respect for IK dimmed the day he let Amir Liaqat join PTI and eroded further when he gave him the ticket for the election.
This is why, it is said that think before you speak, otherwise, be prepared for its adverse consequences - this applies to all!
Now that PTI has won the election, I wont mind them losing this one seat. Atleast the hearts of my family members will rest knowing their vote of necessity to Amir liaqat stands vindicated
Dear CJ. Please do the honours.
His vitriolic should now be subject PTI party discipline. He may cost PTI a seat.
I'm a PTI supporter but praying he is kicked out by the CJ
Differences with Amir Liaquat aside it is not the job of CJP to decide who should be and should not be in parliament. Amir Liqauat has been given a mandate by people and that should be respected
Clearly, the answer is he shouldn't be in the parliament.
Amir Liaquat has always been a controversial figure and people dislike him...
People genuinely dislike conartist Aamir Liaquat. He has no public support. Everyone knows how selections I mean elections were held in Urban Sindh. Two weeks before he was included in PTI he was accusing Imran Khan of not having any leadership skills and passing derogatory comments about Imran Khan's personal life. Just wait for the day when he leaves PTI and starts passing negative comments as he has done to all media groups he has left. Inclusion of Aamir Liaquat was the darkest day in PTI's political history.
@Kashif
your respect was never required as IK already had enough respect which was clearly visible on July 25 vote bank.
Send him behind bars.
He is nothing but a liability for PTI
Giving a party ticket must come with ultimate responsibility and rest assured Amir Liaquat is a newbie and an immature person who has no utter control on his words.
IK must put a leash on him and must held him accountable for any wrong doings.
@Hasan People knowingly voted him, he always been a controversial figure. I would be a happiest person if his election is deferred.
Who is or are Aamir Liaqat's protectors ? Please, expose them and get rid of him for once and all.
"Aamir Liaquat" One person I regret to share a space on Earth.
@Kashif electables. Now IK in power, he said he would only keep those who abide by PTI rules. Liaqat will oust himself by his antics.
its a sad commentary on Imran Khan who has now compromised on allowing people of questionable background to join the party. Suppose, at the end, it is all about power at any cost.
Amir Liaqat is neither a politician nor an activist rather an actor who acts according to the script given to him. Such persons are bad name to any political party and organizations.
He is good for TV... Politics if then he can play an important role in making a code of conduct for TV anchors and do some legislation for media to counter fake news and political dramas...im sure he could do good
Yup... You need good leaders not loud mouths with no brains !!
Very well said. He should be shut up forever.
Disqualify him and bring someone useful from PTI to the parliament.
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan - If they were 'selections', not elections then why PSP and Jeep walas suffered such defeats?
Justice saheb.. there are even worst people that him in the parliament that should have been ridden off long time ago..
He had even made allegations and spread hate against Zakir naik and others in a Ramadan show, i guess named Ramazan main Bol with Aamir Liaqat...
He should never have been allowed to run for elections ...... the filter to filter out the muck simply failed and failed big time. The ECP needs serious overhaul.
How is this man sadiq or amin?
It does lead one to question Imran Khan's judgement that such an unsavoury character was given a PTI ticket.
@Umair Your argument was precisely the argument used by Nawaz Sharif and company!
Aamir Laquat is a proud Pakistani, he loves pakistan more than some politicians.
Don't know what's the greater irony of our political system. Aamir liaquat given the ticket of PTI or that he won?
As a PTI supporter I ask the CJP to please suspend his notification.
Please Mr. CJP have mercy on us and bar Aamir Liaquat from the parliament.
PTI shouldn't take him at first place. He has habit of living in a controversy. IK and company can't bear such attempts that not only discredit PTI but Imran Khan too.
Everybody knows what sort of a person Amir Liaquat is. I fully agree with the CJ that a person like him must not be part of the parliament. My only question is , a person of his character was brought to the parliament by whom ? A person who would do anything for a victory will bring a person like Amir Liaquat. A person who will always compromise on his principles to succeed. A person who has put Amir Liaquat as my representative in the parliament will not be very different to Amir Liaquat. Birds of a feather flock together
The day Imran Khan included Amir Liaquat in PTI , his true colours were revealed to the world.
Please ban him
Anything for getting electables on your side!
IK recruited Amir Liaqat for two reasons. One, IK realized that Amir would win the seat from another party and then would be a nuisance in the parliament for PTI. Two, IK can now use the foul-mouthed demagogue to hurl insults at the opposition.
Televangelist Aamir Liaquat needs to clean up his act. He probably thinks he will be prime minister in 2028.
Don’t worry, he has bigger connections.
He still has his TV show to fall back on. Liaquat has contempt for everyone really.
@Kashif .... Imram Khan may be a lot of things, but brilliant he is not.
@Captain .... The public may dislike him as a person but they like what he is saying.
Right question but doesn't this apply to many more. However, this comment is not to favour him rather to suggest that like him others must also be checked and kicked out.
still i do not understand that what is the logic in IK mind when he gave ticket to Amir Liaquat. Please IK review your decision.. this time public will happy on your U turn.
Nobody should be allowed to spread any kind of hate speech, especially a Member of Parliament.
@Harmony-1© : My dear friend a lot can be said but sometimes silence speaks louder than words. Lets pray for the betterment of our country. Long Live Pakistan.
Dear imran pls remove this hooligan from the party And NA seat. Please.... Please....,
He has the talent to be a good speaker and politician, but he needs to controlled by the party to adhere to the rules and regulation and in particular legal practice.
He may have a repulsive personality and a liability for PTI, but he is a constitutionally elected person. People's mandate has to be respected by the court.
Law of the land should prevail.
@Mani yes please please have mercy on the entire nation - he is just unfit for the job!
Excellent Chief Justice. PTI supporters also would like this person to be disqualified. He is just not the material for parliament.
Amir Liaqat seems to thrive on controversy and thus keep himself in news.
He is a loose cannon and may end up hurting PTI is he is disqualified. Some people just cannot control themselves for the greater good.
I seriously want to like IK and PTI and have good hopes for their governance but how can we like them if they are stupid enough to give ticket to people like Amir Liaqat
@Ijaz Monetary corruption while being in power and being an immature person are totally different things
He should be thrown out of the assembly.We are not so low as a nation to have people his mind set representing us.Pity those who awarded him their party ticket as well as those who voted for him.
This proves that IK is a confused individual.
It’s GEO group full of traitors, taking my money from abroad for media warfare propaganda against him
@Umair mandate was given to many foul people in the history of democracy. Rule of law is above mandate and that's the bottom line of any democratic principles. Nobody is above the law even if populism gets you to the parliament. Remember pablo escobar, notorious drug lord of Columbia also won populist election.
I wonder if "they" will let this happen
@Umair .But at the same time, he must control his tongue. This guy always spill out and speak derogatory against others senselessly.
@Zak Yes, IK does not need this distraction. IK has many more important matters to worry about. I think IK will expell this guy from PTI.
This juvenile delinquent keeps popping up off and on. Good riddance, how low our standards have gone.!
Great decision by the wonderful Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Keep it up and hang on tough
instead of his de-seating by SC, PTI should ensure discipline on this clown, and ask him to resign.
Highly immature and silly question
He is as hateful as captain safdar
He should not been allowed to run an election compaign. bad decision on part of PTI. Imran khan should expel him from his party
Blessing in disguise
We are not always going to agree with everyone, in respect to Liaquat running on PTI ticket, I did not agree with Imran Khan, Liaquat should have never been allowed to get into politics, specially on PTI ticket, lets see what Imran Khan will do, regardless of the outcome, I support Imran Khan.
PTI compromised on all the 'principles', just for the sake of one seat ! Not sure how sound is their claim for 'clean' politics ?
Sad day for the nation when he was accepted by PTI. Aamir Liaquat does not deserve to hold any post of public trust. He is pre-disposed to divisive politics and is and is a libality to national interest.
He is very strictly and seriously the most controversial person ever on Pakistan TV. A hatemonger and will be a complete liability for PTI. The CJ is hundred percent correct that he should not be in the Parliament. I am afraid that his presence may bring chaos in the Parliament.
Please ban him for life. He just cannot be on TV. He is not even a doctor.
Why leave in suspense? Turn him out of the parliament once for all.
Building naya Pakistan on the shoulders of such crooked electable? As the saying goes ‘you’re known by the company you keep.’ Can an honest person make deals with such devils?
The CJ should NOT get to decide who sits in Parliament and who doesn't. He gets one vote to decide that, just like everyone else.
One of the few we wouldn't mind kicked out of PTI
@Kashif I agree. The man is a joke.
He is a cheater and abnormal person. PTI should not give him any position, if SC does not kick him out of the Parliament with a disqualification.
This man Amir Liaquat should fit in to the party of trouble makers only and should not be in PTI. It is irony that he was not only taken in to the party, but was given a ticket to run for the seat in the Assembly. A tragic mistake was committed, however the best way to mend the situation will be to remove him from the party to repair the damage done to the reputation of PTI.
I am not a fan of Amir Liaquat however CJ and people who are opposing him should respect the fact that he won the seat because of his hard work and people voted for him so he should be allowed to keep it, with respect to democracy
@Umair I agree with you. It is not the job of CJP. But, there must be other laws to prosecute him amd punish him.
@Khalid Khan And neither is he a religious scholar nor a DOCTOR!! He is a liar who never completed medical college
@Harmony-1© And why PPP allowed to sweep Sindh and PMLN to win Punjab? Use brain
It would be degradation of Parliament with such people entering .
A court does not get to decide who the people choose to represent them. Aamir Liaqat may be a bad choice. He may be a mistake but to elect him is our mistake to make. No one else's. The CJ can disqualify him for committing a crime but should not presume to question the freedom and right of citizens to choose.
Such kind of persnality should not be allowed to enter in Parliament at any cost at any cost
He appeals to the masses, evident in his TV popularity. You and I reading this may not necessarily be the people who look up to him, but there are several who do. PTI needed anyone with a following to be on board with them for the election, which is also understandable. A lot of people also probably voted just for PTI, regardless of who the candidate was, as well. The unfortunate reality is that he has won, and little can be done about it now. The only way I see out of this is hoping effort is made on quality education, and religious manipulation at the federal level is limited. Bearish.