ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday has directed Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan to submit written reply in contempt of court case till November 11.
During the proceedings, the special assistant once again tendered her apology to the court which was rejected by the bench. The court also refused to allow her to skip the case hearings.
The IHC chief justice also told the special assistant that he held the hearings of those arrested during the PTI sit-in on Sunday on the request of senior bar representative Niazullah Niazi.
Justice Minallah remarked, “During the sit –in this court stopped [the government] from arrests.” To this, Awan informed the court that she had joined the PTI after the sit-in.
The IHC chief justice remarked that the court has to follow the law and cannot support any individual. He added that the court gets its respect through its judgments.
To this, Awan gave an unconditional apology to the court. She added that in her 20-year career she has never spoken about the courts. But the court asked for a written apology.
The IHC CJ also remarked that ministers said that a deal was struck to pressurise the courts.
The IHC Chief Justice asked for a written reply after Awan issued an unconditional apology to the court during the hearing.
Justice Minallah directed the special assistant’s lawyer to submit the written reply by Saturday and set November 11 as the date for the next hearing.
Alluding to the judicial reforms after court hearing, the special assistant said the government has initiated the process by bringing amendments in the outdated legislation.
She said these ordinances will be introduced in the parliament to change them into effective legislation, for which she also sought the cooperation of the opposition parties.
She said the PTI government will take the requisite steps to turn into reality the vision of providing speedy and inexpensive justice to the masses.
Dr Firdous said that she has apprised the Prime Minister about the dilapidated condition of the district courts of Islamabad. She said a judicial complex will be established to shift the district courts there.
Subsequently, the special assistant has been directed to reappear in IHC on November 11 with her written explanation.
