The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued contempt of court notices to Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leaders including Senator Babar Awan, Khursheed Shah, Firdous Ashiq Awan and Qamar Zaman Kaira over derogatory remarks against judiciary in a press conference held on January 01.
Earlier, the apex court had sought Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's response over the press conference in which he "ridiculed" the Supreme Court of Pakistan after initial proceedings in memo case petitions.
The prime minister in his response had said Babar Awan didn't ridicule the apex court and the PPP respected the SC. "Whether to challenge the court's independence and impartiality is not contempt of court," Justice Athar Saeed remarked during the hearing.
Transcript of Babar Awan's press conference was also read in the courtroom. Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq read Prime Minister Gilani's reply over the press conference.
The apex court adjourned the case till January 13 asking Babar Awan and others to submit their reply.
Earlier, the apex court had sought Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's response over the press conference in which he "ridiculed" the Supreme Court of Pakistan after initial proceedings in memo case petitions.
The prime minister in his response had said Babar Awan didn't ridicule the apex court and the PPP respected the SC. "Whether to challenge the court's independence and impartiality is not contempt of court," Justice Athar Saeed remarked during the hearing.
Transcript of Babar Awan's press conference was also read in the courtroom. Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq read Prime Minister Gilani's reply over the press conference.
The apex court adjourned the case till January 13 asking Babar Awan and others to submit their reply.