The Lahore High Court on Tuesday adjourned the proceeding against former interior minister Ahsan Iqbal to June 11 after he submitted his written reply to a contempt notice and reiterated that he had complete regard for the courts. The former minister also tendered his unconditional apology before the court.
Meanwhile, the court also directed the Pemra to submit a detailed report on petitions against the anti-judiciary speeches by Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and other PML-N leaders. The video of the former minister's objectionable speech was also exhibited in the court on projector.
Ahsan Iqbal appeared before the court along with his counsel Azam Nazir Tarar who urged the bench to discharge the contempt proceedings against Ahsan Iqbal. The court told the former minister that he could have adopted legal course if he had any reservation with the remarks of the chief justice of Pakistan but he did not do so.
Ahsan Iqbal said he never thought of disgracing or disobeying the courts. He said being former interior minister he was conversant to some information about foreign elements conspiring against the country's stability. "We all have to work together for the stability of the country," he added.
"Did you ever teach this lesson to other leaders of your party," the court asked the former minister referring to anti-judiciary speeches of Danyal Aziz, Talal Chaudhry, Nehal Hashmi and Maryam Aurangzeb. "Do not punish me for the sins of others," Ahsan Iqbal said and added that what he did was not intentional.