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Summary PBC on Friday announced it will challenge Contempt law it in Supreme Court.
The urgent PCB meeting, which was convened at the resolution of five members, termed the Contempt of Court Act 2012 as unconstitutional.It also adopted a resolution, condemning the act. The resolution said that the PCB would challenge the new act in the apex court.The PBC also gave a call to observe Black Day on July 23 against the Act. The council has appealed to nationwide bar associations to hoist black flags on their offices and observe complete strike.On Thursday, the legal fraternity across the country observed a strike on the appeal of their respective bar associations to protest the new contempt of court law passed by parliament.Lawyers expressed its solidarity with the chief justice and Supreme Court, many lawyers completely boycotted court proceedings in district courts while a partial strike was observed at the Lahore High Court (LHC).It is vital to mention here President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday signed into law a newly approved bill aimed at providing blanket immunity to all public office holders against contempt of court – a move that will have a direct bearing on the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case.Under the new Contempt of Court Bill 2012, if an accused or convict of contempt of court files an appeal, the order will remain suspended till the final disposal of the matter.The law also states: “An accused person may also at any stage submit an apology and the court, if satisfied, may discharge him or remit his sentence.”A couple of petitioners have already challenged the law in the apex court – and it remains to be seen how the court reacts to the new law.
