The Lahore High Court adjourned the hearing of contempt of court case against former interior minister and leader Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), Ahsan Iqbal, on Monday till September 5.
Justice Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi was heading the three-member bench of LHC against Ahsan Iqbal. The petition was filed against Ahsan Iqbal, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and 16 other leaders of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) for making anti-judiciary speeches.
Iqbal’s lawyer told the court that his client had submitted an unconditional apology in relation to the contempt of court proceedings against him.
The bench questioned whether the former interior minister had accepted his mistake. You have praised yourself [more than apologise] in your response, the bench said to Iqbal.
The bench remarked that outside of the court, you give statements that your party is being targeted. On the one hand you say you won’t make such statements, but outside you give out the same statements.
Justice Atir Mahmood remarked, "If the verdict is in your favour then the judiciary is right, otherwise it is wrong. You tell us, which other party besides yours has commented on the judiciary?"
The court then remarked that former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had appeared during the previous hearing, and the verdict was made on merit.
Iqbal’s counsel pleaded that the contempt of court proceedings against his client be ended, since his client had apologised unconditionally.
The court then postponed the proceedings until after elections, till September 5.