A three-member bench — headed by CJP Isa and including Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi — issued the written order of the contempt proceedings against lawmakers Faisal Vawda and Mustafa Kamal for their tirades against the judiciary.
In the written order, the Supreme Court stated that it had issued show-cause notices to 34 TV channels including 26 whose explanations Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa said were not justifiable.
Those operating the television channels were only issued a notice (not a show cause notice). However, they have elected not to avail of the opportunity provided to them to reflect, relent, and, if they so consider apologizing it stated.
During the hearing, the order noted it also transpired that even after the making of the contemptuous comments they continued broadcasting and later re-broadcast the press conferences.
The court expressed its disappointment and concern over the matter stating that in today’s age false information can spread easily and that extra caution is needed.
We inquired whether any retraction or apology was broadcast by any of the channels and it transpired that this was not done. We are not unmindful that being commercial enterprises television channels make money by broadcasting and advertisements, the order stated.
Therefore the court said We are constrained to issue show cause notices to all 34 channels to show cause as to why they should not be proceeded against for committing contempt of court. The replies to the show cause notices should be submitted within two weeks.
The replies to the show cause notices should state (1) whether the press conferences were preceded with advertisements, (2) whether there were any advertisements during the press conferences, (3) whether upon the conclusion of the press conferences, there were advertisements, (4) whether they were re-broadcast and (5) whether extracts therefrom were broadcast and (6) the amounts received in payment for such advertisements.
The Supreme Court has made it clear that it will not tolerate any violation of its orders and that it will take action against those who defy its orders. The court has also warned the TV channels that they will be held accountable for any false information they spread.
On May 17 a three-judge SC bench issued contempt notices to independent Senator Vawda and Kamal MQM-P MNA, for several malicious allegations against the judiciary and the judges.
Earlier this month the SC had also issued show cause notices to 34 television channels asking them to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for airing the lawmaker’s remarks.
During the last hearing, the Supreme Court accepted the apologies tendered by Faisal Vawda and Mustafa Kamal for their tirades against the judiciary but also warned them against “further transgression.