ISLAMABAD: A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Friday issued contempt notice to Altaf Hussain, Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) for using derogatory language against the Judges of the Apex Court.
Other members of the bench Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja and Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali heard the Criminal Mis. Application No. 765/2012 regarding derogatory language used by Altaf Hussain and Suo Moto Case No. 16 of 2011 regarding law and order situation in Karachi and Criminal Original Petition No. 96/2012 (Senator Haji Adeel Vs Raja Muhammad Abbas and others).
The Court after going through the extract from the speech of Altaf Hussain, considered the same, tantamount to interference with and obstruction in the process of the Court by advancing threats to Judges of Supreme Court and it also tended to bring the Judges into hatred, ridicule and contempt.
The Court also observed that on account of such assertions, the process of the Court was also likely to be prejudiced, relating to implementation of the issues arising out of the directions of this Court in Watan Party's case and various other orders.
The Court directed for issuance of notices under Article 204 of the Constitution of Pakistan read with section 3 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003 to Altaf Husain to appear in person and explain as to why he should not be proceeded against for Contempt of Court in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
Notice was also directed to be issued to him through Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Pakistan as he had made above assertions during a telephonic address from outside the country. The Secretary was directed to ascertain his correct location and ensure service of the notice upon him, through representatives of the Foreign Office outside the country.
Similarly, a notice was also directed to be issued to Altaf Hussain C/o Dr. Farooq Sattar, Deputy Convener, MQM, 494/8, Azizabad, Karachi.
The office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court also drew attention of Court towards the substance of speech delivered by Altaf Hussain, leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on December 02,2012 addressing a large number of people wherein uncalled for expressions and aspersions were cast upon the Judges of Supreme Court of Pakistan.
The Court after hearing Zahoor Qureshi, Learned Counsel, ordered for issuing of notices under Article 204 of the Constitution of Pakistan read with section 3 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003, to the respondents to appear and explain as to why they should not be proceeded against for Contempt of Court in accordance with the Constitution and the law, for having been failed to implement the judgment in Watan Party's case.
The Advocate General of the Province of Sindh was also directed to submit comprehensive compliance report in respect of the directions contained in Watan Party's case and the orders passed thereafter by a Bench seeking implementation of the judgment, and if the judgment is not implemented in letter & spirit, he should pinpoint the person(s) individually and collectively responsible for the same.
According to details of the case, the Apex Court while disposing of Suo Moto Case 16/2011 regarding law and order situation in Karachi on September 13, 2011 passed various directions.
Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2012**
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