LHCBA Multan bench president has appeared before the full bench of the SC in contempt case.  Sher Zaman Qureshi, contemnor, has submitted written apology before the SC.

The incident took place on July 24 when he along with others attacked courtroom of Justice Qasim Khan at Multan bench. This incident damaged sanctity of the court and widened gap between bar and bench. Ends. LHC had already summoned him for Sept 8.

He never appeared before the Lahore High Court despite its repeated orders. He was summoned to answer that why did he attack the LHC Multan bench along with fellow lawyers. Today, he is appearing before the SC in his appeal against LHC orders.

Cheif Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar is head of five member bench while Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik and Justice Ijazul Ahsan are other members.

The Cheif Justice asked contemnor why did he not appear before the LHC. If prime ministers can appear before the courts then why not the lawyers, he observes.

Supreme Court Bar Association President expressed his grief in the hearing today that bar has never been treated this way. He also said that bar members were being shelled during the contempt of court hearing in LHC from inside the court.

Licenses of Qureshi and Kazmi were suspended by LHC during last hearing. Chief Justice of the LHC said during the hearing that no compromise will be made over the supreme sanctity of the court.

Qureshi’s conduct was referred by the court as indecent and demeaning that clearly offends the honor of the court. The court also said that Qureshi is in clear violation of the orders of the court by not appearing before the court.

Lawyers loyal to Qureshi following the order of the LHC tried to enter the courtroom by force , broke the corridor gates and chanted slogans inside LHC building against the Chief Justice.

In order to disperse the protesting crowd of lawyers, tear gas and water cannon were used by the authorities. Moreover, members of the legal fraternity protested the order by hurling stones at the police personnel and LHC building.

According to the reports, protestors were around 200 including bar members from Multan, Burewala and other areas. 

SC orders LHC Multan bench registrar to come up with complete report on the next hearing. Hearing adjourned till the third week of Oct.