SC summons Taj, Memon for ridiculing court | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

SC summons Taj, Memon for ridiculing court

* Both PPP leaders ‘disrespected’ apex court’s verdict on disqualification of Deedar Hussain Shah as NAB chairman

By Hasnaat Malik

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Saturday issued notices to the Pakistan People’s Party Sindh Secretary General, Taj Haider, and PPP Sindh Media Cell In-charge, MNA Sharjeel Inam Memon, for ridiculing and disrespecting the apex court’s judgement regarding disqualification of Justice (r) Deedar Hussain Shah as the NAB chairman.

Haider and Memon have been directed by the SC to appear on April 1, and explain, “Why proceedings under Article 204 of the constitution and Section 3 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance (Ordinance IV) of 2003, may not be initiated against them.”

The PPP MNA was ordered to explain that why under the Article 63 (1)(g) read with Article 113, he might not be declared disqualified as member of the provincial assembly.

The court also issued notices to the attorney general for Pakistan, Sindh advocate general, Supreme Court Bar Association president, Pakistan Bar Council vice chairman and Sindh Bar Council vice chairman to assist the court in this matter. The Sindh AG has been directed to explain as to what action has been taken so far to pay compensation to the heirs of persons killed or injured and those whose properties were damaged in the protest rallies in Karachi and other parts of the province.

He has also been ordered to submit copies of the FIRs and criminal cases that were registered against the instigators.

It is pertinent to mention that on March 12, Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary had written letters to the acting chairman of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (PEMRA), Sindh Assembly secretary and Sindh chief secretary regarding the strike called by some political leaders in Sindh against the SC’s judgement of March 10.

Reportedly, more than seven persons had died during the protests and strike against the apex court’s March 10 judgement given against the NAB chairman.

The Sindh Assembly secretary and Sindh chief secretary filed their reports with the apex court, while the PEMRA acting chairman submitted transcript of CDs/DVDs regarding the statements of political leaders wherein the language used by two politicians was not appropriate and appeared to be contemptuous and scandalous and incited hatred against the judiciary and court.

The Intelligence Bureau also submitted its report and confirmed that on the call of some PPP leaders, strikes were observed throughout Sindh except Matiari, Umar Kot and Thar against the SC judgement.

According to reports, Taj Haider gave a call to boycott courts, close trade centres, offices, education and other institutions, transport etc. The news was widely televised and published in the electronic and print media.

Taj Haider had stated: “Legislators would take out rally from Sindh Assembly building to Sindh High Court to lodge protest against politically motivated decision of superior judiciary. They would observe the general strike across the Sindh province against the interference of the judiciary in administrative affairs…the said judgement is discriminatory because another person who belongs to Sindh was removed from his service because he is a Sindhi and the whole party protests against the said decision.”

While Sharjeel had said: “The courts have dual standards as they did not take any action against those who invaded the courts. Furthermore, tomorrow strike will be held in Sindh and atrocity with Sindh should be stopped. He also stated that it is shameful decision…”
Source: Daily Times
Date:3/27/2011