ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court on Friday gave Babar Awan, former federal minister for law and justice, time till 2nd February, 2012 to submit reply on the contempt of court notice, issued to him for addressing a press conference at Press Information Department after the December 1, 2011, apex court order.
Onset of the proceedings, Justice Ejaz Afzal Ahmed heading a two-member bench that also comprised Justice Athar Saeed inquired from Mr. Babar “Would you like to submit a reply on the notice issued to you.”
Babar replied instead of arguing his case himself he wanted to engage a lawyer to represent him in the contempt of court proceedings. He said being a parliamentarian as well he remained busy and needed time to file the reply. The court gave him time till February 2, 2012 to file the reply.
Justice Athar Saeed asked the ex-minister, “Hope you (ex-minister) will exercise restraint during this period.” Babar replied in positive.
The Supreme Court on January 4 had issued a show-cause notice to Babar Awan for holding a press conference at PID and allegedly using contemptuous remarks about the judiciary after its December 1, 2011, order in the Memogate case.
The court had directed the PPP leader to submit his replies till January 13, explaining why the court should not initiate contempt-of-court proceedings against him for ridiculing the court’s December 1 order.
The apex court had earlier sought Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s response over the press conference in which Babar Awan and PPP leaders allegedly ‘ridiculed’ the Supreme Court after initial proceedings in memo case petitions.
The prime minister in his response had said Awan didn’t ridicule the apex court and the PPP respected the SC.