Supreme Court dismisses contempt petition against Ahsan Iqbal

ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (SABAH): The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday dismissed a contempt petition against Secretary General of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and former federal minister for planning, development and special initiative Professor Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry.

A two-member bench headed by the CJP Umar Atta Bandial and comprising Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi heard the case and dismissed contempt proceedings against PML-N general secretary.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice said that he finds no ground to continue contempt proceedings against the PML-N in five-year-old case. The petitioner Syed Mehmood Akhtar Naqvi argued saying “we have respect like any military officer or judge,” is a contempt of court and added no one is above the law.

While addressing the applicant, the Chief Justice said, “Do not make a speech before the court. It is up to the court that contempt of court was committed or not.”

He further said, “Ahsan Iqbal is a decent man and he might have said something in emotions.’

In the petition, contempt of court action was requested against Ahsan Iqbal. The case relates to when Ahsan Iqbal was serving as the interior minister. On April 25, 2018, Ahsan Iqbal said that their self-respect should be safeguarded. He had also remarked, “we have respect like any military officer or judge.”

The court dismissed the contempt petition against Ahsan Iqbal after hearing arguments of the applicant.

It is worth mentioning here that on May 2, 2018, a contempt of court petition was filed against Ahsan Iqbal.