ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court of Pakistan Tuesday formally indicted Privatisation Minister Daniyal Aziz in a contempt case over anti-judiciary speeches.
A three-member bench, headed by Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and comprising Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel, took up the case against the minister and indicted him under Article 204 as well as contempt of court law, 2003.
The bench remarked the federal minister had scandalised the judiciary and interfered in the court matters. Justice Mushir Alam read the charge sheet for the accused minister who denied the allegations levelled against him.
During the last hearing, the bench expressed dissatisfaction over the reply submitted by the minister and fixed the case for March 13 to indict him.
Counsel for the minister contended the media reports of his client’s ‘anti-judiciary’ speech were false. In the reply, the minister stated that, being a lawmaker, he could not even imagine of downgrading any institution, adding he had due respect for all the state institutions, including the judiciary.
“The media ran my comments out of context,” the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader stated, besides asking the court to withdraw the show-cause notice against him. On February 2, the apex court issued a contempt of court notice to Privatisation Minister Daniyal Aziz over his anti-judiciary speeches.