Awan terms contempt of court as illegal

Pakistan

Awan terms contempt of court as illegal

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Babar says Gilanis punishment was illegal, rallies in support of court also contempt.

02 July,2012 07:28 pm

A two-member bench of the apex court, comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and Justice Asif Saeed Khoa, resumed the hearing of contempt of court case against Babar Awan on Monday.The Attorney General said that the matter of contempt of court law was pending in the 16-member bench for hearing while the conviction of the PM on contempt of court was also unconstitutional.Babar Awan argued that the court had had slapped contempt charges only against him while there were six people, including two other ministers, present at the press conference in question.Awan argued that if attempts to influence the court equate to contempt, then the rallies taken out in favour of court are also contempt of court. The former minister further said that the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO-2000) provides cover to the judges’ oaths.Babar Awan said that one PCO cannot be legitimised if the other is termed unlawful.The apex court adjourned the hearing till July 5.The Supreme Court had taken a suo motu notice on Babar Awan’s address at a press conference held in the Press Information Department on December 1, after the initial order of the larger bench on the memogate issue was released.