IHC issues another contempt notice to Firdous Ashiq Awan

IHC issues another contempt notice to Firdous Ashiq Awan

Islamabad (Web Desk): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday issued another contempt of court notice to Special Adviser to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan.

Awan appeared before IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah tendered unconditional apology for her remarks against the judiciary which was accepted by the court.

During today’s hearing, Justice Minallah told Awan that she had committed contempt of court on two counts, one for ridiculing the court for entertaining the case as a "special dispensation" and one for trying to influence a pending proceeding of the court related to the bail petition for Nawaz.

The IHC CJ remarked that Prime Minister Imran Khan has always talked about rule of law and you (Firdous Ashiq Awan) has tried to affect the under-hearing cases.

Justice Minallah asked Dr Firodus to read out the rules of IHC and said that she wasn’t supposed to combine politics with the judiciary as she was not an ordinary person.

“You are PM’s special assistant and such statement coming from your side is regrettable,” he added.

“I am confident that the prime minister must have not asked you to issue such a statement”, The IHC Chief Justice added.

He told that district courts were formed to hear cases of common people. Go and witness the situation there that how judges are arranging hearings to conclude the cases, he stated.

On Wednesday, the IHC had issued a contempt notice to Firdous Ashiq Awan for holding an anti-judiciary press conference. She was asked to appear before the court today (Friday).

The bench adjourned hearing till November 5 and directed Awan to appear in person. She requested a change in date citing federal cabinet meeting.

The court, denying the request, remarked that the meeting can be held in the district court so the cabinet sees the state of courts.