LAHORE: Former premier Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer on Monday once again raised objection to the constitution of a larger bench of the Lahore High Court to hear petitions seeking contempt of court proceedings against the Sharif family.
As the larger bench, headed by Justice Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi, began hearing of the petitions seeking initiation of contempt cases against Nawaz, his daughter and other PML-N leaders for criticising the judiciary, Advocate AK Dogar, the former premier’s lawyer, objected to inclusion of Justice Atir Mehmood on the bench, saying he had previously remained an office-bearer of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Justice Naqvi said every citizen has had the right to support any political party and clarified that Justice Mehmood never held any office in the Imran Khan-led party.
The counsel insisted it appeared that the bench had already made up its mind about the outcome of the case.
Justice Naqvi censured the lawyer, saying the court had yet not summoned him for presenting his arguments. The thrice elected premier had been criticizing the courts more than anybody else, he observed.
The LHC judge affirmed that the bench would dispense justice and decide the case as per law.
The bench, meanwhile, directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to submit a report, explaining the measures it had taken to stop airing of anti-judiciary speeches by Sharif and his daughter.
It also summoned record of their contemptuous remarks against the judiciary.
On April 4, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Yawar Ali constituted the three-judge bench, headed by Justice Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi and comprising Justice Shahid Jameel Khan and Justice Atir Mehmood, to hear the petitions.
Justice Shahid Jameel Khan declined to hear the matter citing personal reasons on April 6. Earlier, the bench was dissolved after Justice Shahid Mobeen declined to proceed with the case, dissolving the bench for the second time.
Last week, the LHC Chief Justice formed the bench, headed by Justice Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi and comprising Justice Shahid Mobeen and Justice Aatir Mehmood, after Justice Shahid Bilal Hasan was transferred to the Multan bench.
Published in Daily Times, April 10th 2018.
