ISLAMABAD: In the spontaneous notice case on Senator Faisal Vawda’s press conference, the Supreme Court wrote in its order that the judiciary was apparently insulted through the press conferences. Pemra should also present the details of the questions asked in the press conferences of Mustafa Kamal and Senator Faisal Vawda and their answers.
According to the order, Faisal Vawda held a press conference on May 15. Criticize us to our face. We call them. The second press conference was conducted by Mustafa Kamal. The cases under hearing of the court were discussed. The press conference was carried in newspapers and on TV. Under Article 19, everyone has freedom of expression. Freedom of expression prohibits contempt of court.
The Supreme Court in its order said that the pending cases were also discussed in the press conferences. Most of the things were said against me. I have always been patient. Our temperance should not be more severe than admired. Institutions should not be ridiculed. There are both good and bad people in journalism. We cannot blame the whole of journalism.
The Chief Justice said that we know that our number is 137 in the global ranking. We have brought transparency in judicial affairs. It has brought transparency in the formation of judicial benches. He who has arguments can silence us with his arguments. A commissioner strolled in and charged me. We have endured a lot. Besides being the Chief Justice of Pakistan, I am also the head of an organization.
The Chief Justice remarked that it is said that contempt of court proceedings do not take place in civilized societies. Civilized societies do not even have such rhetoric. If anyone has any suggestion to reduce pending cases let us know. What will be achieved by shouting and threatening? Criticism should be for reform, not to promote a culture of gossip.
The Chief Justice said that we do not know where we are going. Tolerance also has a limit. A gentleman from Karachi, Mustafa Kamal, came and said that this was done with Bhutto, that was done. We admitted the mistake in the Bhutto case. We cannot bring Bhutto back to life, we can only accept it as a mistake. If anyone has any suggestions for our improvement, please write to the registrar. This will not be done because it will not bring fame.
The Chief Justice remarked that we ourselves are enough for our enmity. We do not need any external enemy.
The court order further stated that during the hearing, the representatives of the Supreme Court Bar Association also agreed to the contempt proceedings.
