Supreme Court bars Malik Riaz from giving statements against judiciary

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday barred Malik Riaz from giving statements to media against judiciary, giving him a seven-day period to hire his counsel in the contempt of court case.

In the meantime, the apex court rejected the plea to put Malik Riaz’s name on the Exit Control List (ECL), saying that there was no need as he came from London on the court’s directive.

The bench also asked the business tycoon to not seek more time for counsel’s preparation after period of seven days.

Malik Riaz prayed before the court he couldn’t understand English, which was why the court read the order in Urdu.

He informed the court, “I am trying to contract high-profile lawyers including Aitzaz Ahsan but failed to succeed in hiring one. I am hopeful to get engaged someone soon”.

Malik Riaz, the most powerful real estate tycoon, is currently facing contempt charges over a presser in which he ridiculed and scandalized the judiciary over the alleged corruption case of Dr. Arsalan Iftikhar.

Earlier on Wednesday, the apex court issued a contempt of court notice to Malik Riaz, summoning him on Thursday. A three-judge bench headed by Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan conducted the hearing of the case.

According to the draft, the content of the press conference organized by Malik Riaz Hussain prime facie was contempt of court.

Justice Shakirullah Jan issued a show cause notice, saying the business tycoon was directed to appear before the court Thursday.

He explained that the suo motu notice against Malik Riaz’s press conference was taken on the grounds of the registrar’s note which he placed before the apex court.

The head of the bench was of the opinion that the business tycoon attempted to ridicule the court and judges of the apex court and caused obstruction in the administration of justice because of the pendency of his cases.

Justice Shakirullah Jan observed, “We issue show cause notice to Riaz Malik in terms of Article 204 of the Constitution read with Section 3 of Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003”.

Malik Riaz holding a pocket-sized Holy Quran hurled serious but contradictory allegations on Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and his son Arsalan Iftikhar during a press conference.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Jun 14 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.