KARACHI: Provincial Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Tuesday submitted in the Sindh High Court his response on a petition seeking his disqualification for allegedly giving contemptuous remarks against judges.

A statement on behalf of the provincial minister was filed before a two-judge bench during the hearing of the petition filed by a civil rights campaigner, who had asked the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the minister for making the remarks.

The information minister submitted in his reply that he had utmost respect for the judiciary and the remarks made during his speech on the floor were not aimed at insulting anyone.

However, he further said that he did not violate law or constitutional provision by making such remarks as legislators had the right to express their opinion.

Petitioner Rana Faizul Hasan, who is also secretary general of the United Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, quoted the information minister as saying that the law enforcement agencies personnel risked their lives by arresting terrorists, but judges, who succumbed to fear and self-interest, released them.

He quoted the minister as asking the judges to step down if they lacked the courage to punish criminals.

The petitioner asked the court to summon the complete recording of the minister’s speech he made on the floor of the assembly and initiate proceedings against him for committing the contempt of court.

The two-judge bench headed by Justice Sajjad Ali Shah put off the hearing of the petition after the provincial minister’s statement was placed on record.

The next date of hearing would be later fixed by the court’s office.

Notices issued in Imran Farooq murder case

The Sindh High Court on Tuesday directed the provincial authorities and Rangers to file their respective comments on a petition of the wife of Moazzam Ali Khan, a prime suspect in the murder case of Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Dr Imran Farooq, against his detention by law enforcement agencies.

A two-judge bench headed by Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto also issued a notice to the provincial and federal law officers and put off the hearing to a date to be later fixed by the court’s office.

Petitioner Sadia Bano had filed a constitutional petition against the arrest and detention of her husband by the Rangers.

The woman petitioner submitted that the personnel of the paramilitary force raided her house in Block 8 of Federal B Area in Azizabad in the early hours of April 12 and took away her husband and his belongings, including a laptop.

She submitted that the family members contacted the area police to know about the whereabouts of her husband, but the police officials feigned ignorance about the matter.

The petitioner said that later the Rangers officials were also approached, but to no avail as they also refused to give any information about Khan.

She asked the court to direct the home secretary, the director-general of the Sindh Rangers, the provincial police chief, the SHO of the Azizabad police station and other officials to produce the detainee in court along with details of the criminal case, if any made against him.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2015

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