The court also summoned owners of Gourmet Food and GNN News channel for Wednesday, besides director general of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority.

The chief justice passed the orders while hearing an application filed by Punjab Food Authority (PFA) Director General Muhammad Usman, at the Supreme Court Lahore Registry.

During the hearing, the PFA DG Muhammad Usman apprised that harmful bacteria was found in samples of ice cream produced by Gourmet.

He said that the authority seized existing stock at Gourmet outlets, which was later disposed of.

The product is among 47 brands of ice cream and frozen desserts that the PFA declared unfit for human consumption on Saturday, he added.

He said that GNN news channel, which was owned by the Gourmet group, started a "character assassination" campaign against him after the operation against the brand's ice cream.

At this, the chief justice observed that such a campaign was equal to contempt of court, adding that why not the channel should be shut down for a few days or permanently? However, the chief justice ordered authorities to examine all products of Gourmet Foods to check their quality, besides sealing of ice cream units of the brand.

The chief justice also expressed annoyance over a phone call made to him on behalf of Gourmet Foods for seeking a favour in the matter during the hearing.