The Supreme Court Monday summoned executive producer of a private TV channel to record statement in contempt of court case against Federal Minister for Privatization Daniyal Aziz.
A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh heard contempt case against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader. Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar had taken suo motu notice and issued contempt notice to Daniyal Aziz for contemptuous speeches against the apex court with special reference to Panama Papers case verdict against the then prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif.
Executive Producer of a private TV channel, Kashif Jabbar, has been summoned as the channel had telecast the press conference on Javed Hashmi.
The bench, however, rejected Daniyal Aziz's request to again summon defense witness Director General (Monitoring) PEMRA Haji Adam to produce record of the press conference of Javed Hashmi. The court asked Daniyal's counsel Ali Raza why he not questioned him about this issue when he was called to record his statement and for cross-examination.
On the last hearing (March 30), Additional Attorney General Waqar Rana, who is prosecutor in this case, had produced his witnesses - Haji Adam Khan, the director general of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), and a reporter Sajid Hussain Chaudhry. They had recorded their statement and were cross-examined by Daniyal Aziz counsel.
Justice Azmat Saeed asked the counsel, "When you have attached the CD of Javed Hashmi's press conference then why you are requiring the same from the DG (Monitoring) PEMRA." He told Ali Raza not to use delaying tactics. "Don't beat about the bush as it will dilute the case," he added.
Ali Raza on behalf of Daniyal Aziz had filed an application, requesting to summon Haji Adam, along with the video regarding Hashmi's news conference held on January 1, 2017, adding it was necessary evidence to establish defense of his client in the interest of justice.
Javed Hashmi, in a press conference held on January 2017 referred to Imran's statement where he said that [former chief justice of Pakistan] Tassaduq Hussain Jillani would leave and then Nasir-ul-Mulk would be sworn in.
"He would [listen to us] and dissolve the assemblies. And after that, there would be elections in 90 days. During that time, the Supreme Court will take over and then we [the PTI] will win," Hashmi alleged. "I said, Imran Khan, this is not how it happens. This sit-in will not be successful," said Hashmi.
The case was adjourned till April 24.