ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court of Pakistan Tuesday issued show cause notice to Masood-ur-Rehman Abbasi, Secretary General, PPP, PS-114, Karachi, for his indecent and disrespectful remarks about Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed in a video clip.

A four-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprised Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi took notice of Masood ur Rehman’s speech.

The court noted that Masood’s speech in which he had made indecent and disrespectful remarks about the Chief Justice, on the face of it, appear to be derogatory and scandalous. It added that prima facie, we consider such blatant remarks made by him to constitute contempt of Court under the Constitution and the law.

The notice was issued under Article 204 of the Constitution read with Section 3 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003. The PPP leader has been asked to file reply of show cause that why he may not be proceeded against and punished in accordance with law.

The bench said that Inspector General of Police, Sindh, is directed to ensure service of the notice upon Masood ur Rehman Abbasi and to make sure his appearance before the bench on June 28. The Court also issued notice to PEMRA and FIA to furnish all the relevant record, data and information in respect of the PPP leader’s speech. Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan asked to assist the court in terms of Order XXVII-A CPC on next date of hearing.

Executive Committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) at its meeting demanded stern action against the false accusations made in the video clip and also called upon the federal government and its associated law enforcement agencies to arrest him and put him behind bars.

The SCBA also demanded necessary steps at the earliest to remove the video clip from social media and to take other steps for safety and security of judges and their families.

The SCBA said that use of such filthy language against the CJP, who is not only a great human being but is also a highly respected, honest and upright justice, is highly condemnable.