The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) Deputy Counsel Mustafa Kamal’s plea for an immediate apology in the suo motu defamation case.
The development came after the three-member CJP Isa headed by Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghani and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan heard contempt of court proceedings against Kamal and independent Senator Faisal Wawa.
Both politicians held a press conference against the judiciary in Islamabad in May, with Wawda saying no accusation can be made without evidence and Kamal trying to set moral standards for judges because justice “can only be bought”.
The statement revealed that six judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had written to members of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), suggesting that intelligence agencies were involved in the proceedings. Politicians also pointed out the dual citizenship of IHC judges.
Soon after the meeting, the SC on Thursday took action against the leader and issued a suo motu notice. After the hearing on May 17, the court admonished the MPs for their reasons.
In his response, Kamal apologized unconditionally and said he holds “all judges, especially judges of the highest court in Pakistan, with respect and reverence”.
Meanwhile, Senator Wawda has refused to tender an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court and has appealed the case, saying several others have made similar comments.
