ISLAMABAD, Aug 24: The Supreme Court on Friday served a contempt of court notice on Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Sher Afgan Niazi for his outburst against its decision allowing the Sharif brothers to return to the country.

A six-member Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry ordered the minister to reply in two weeks why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against him.

The suo motu notice was taken on a report published in Dawn on Friday. A notice was also issued to Attorney-General Malik Mohammad Qayyum, asking him to act as prosecutor in the case.

In an interview with DAWNNEWS television channel, Dr Sher Afgan had rejected the court verdict and described it as ‘partial’ and “made under the influence of political parties”. He also said that he was ready to face a contempt case, dismissal form the cabinet or disqualification from contesting elections.“Issue notice to Dr Sher Afgan Niazi of contempt of court under Article 204 of the Constitution to show cause as to why contempt of court proceedings may not be initiated against him,” the court order said.

The attorney-general, it may be mentioned, also described the remarks made by Dr Afgan as being in contempt of court, although he said he had not watched the television programme and had only read a report about it in the newspaper. He had been asked by the chief justice if he had listened to the remarks of the minister.

The chief justice said the registrar had put a note that the minister had used ‘contemptuous language’ and made ‘contemptuous remarks’ against Thursday’s decision of the court on the petitions of the Sharif brothers.

Advocate Naeem Sheikh requested the court to restrain Sher Afgan from performing duties as minister, but the chief justice said the minister should be first allowed to reply.