The Supreme Court (SC) issued contempt of court notices on Friday to Senator Faisal Vawda and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Mustafa Kamal. In their press conferences, they questioned the judiciary.
A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, heard the case. Justices Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Irfan Saadat Khan were also present.
The apex court took suo motu notice of Vawda’s press conference. In it, he criticized the judiciary and challenged Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge Babar Sattar to provide evidence of spy agencies meddling in the judiciary.
Additional Attorney General (AAG) Aamir Rehman appeared before the court.
CJP Isa asked the AAG if he had heard Vawda’s press conference. The AAG said he had heard some, but not all of it.
The court then questioned whether Vawda’s press conference content was contemptuous.
The CJP said opinions on subjudice matters are permissible. He noted that more had been said about him. He questioned if such actions aimed to diminish the respect of institutions. The CJP asked if the entire judiciary should be disrespected because of one individual’s wrongdoing. “If I have done something wrong, tell me. Don’t point fingers at the entire judiciary,” he said.
“Lawyers, judges, and journalists include both good and bad people,” he noted.
The chief justice acknowledged flaws within the judiciary and explained that a father’s sins should not be passed on to his son.
Justice Isa emphasized his efforts to enhance transparency in judicial matters, noting that he had even reduced his powers to achieve this.
The court remarked that the “weakest individuals” resort to carrying guns and hurling abuses.
Referring to Vawda and Kamal’s press conferences, Justice Isa said, “They took advantage of my neglect and thought they should also make a speech.”
CJP Isa stated he would never defend those who validated martial law. He stressed that punishment for his wrongdoings should not extend to other judges.
The apex court noted that such remarks were uncommon in civilized societies. This is why contempt of court notices are not issued there.
The court questioned the “needless clamour and theatrics” when the court was open to constructive criticism.
“Why choose a press club for such statements instead of speaking in Parliament?” CJP Isa questioned. He noted that the MQM-P leader followed Vawda’s press conference. Both chose a press conference despite being elected members of parliament who could have addressed their concerns in the House.
The court reiterated that discussions about judges’ conduct were not permissible even in Parliament.
Chief Justice Isa directed his remarks towards the AAG. “The responsibility now lies on your shoulders. Should show-cause notices be issued, or only notices?”
The court adjourned the hearing till June 5 after issuing notices to the political leaders.
The court requested video recordings and transcripts of the press conferences conducted by both individuals.
