ISLAMABAD, July 15: President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday re-promulgated the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2004, to regulate the exercise of the powers of courts to punish for contempt of court.

The ordinance which was promulgated on Dec 16, 2003, expired on April 15, 2004. The re-promulgated ordinance will be effective retrospectively from April 15, 2004.

The ordinance had already been tabled in the National Assembly and referred to the standing committee on law, justice and parliamentary affairs. The committee on July 13 deliberated upon the ordinance and was able to remove all objections suggesting necessary amendments to the ordinance.

The report will now be sent to the National Assembly secretariat and the bill is likely to come under discussion in the National Assembly session starting from Friday. Previously, the Contempt of Court Act, 1976, was in place that had been repealed through this new ordinance. -APP