Anti-judiciary speech: LHC issues contempt notice to PTI’s Asad Umar

RAWALPINDI: Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Rawalpindi Registry on Monday issued contempt of court notice to Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar over anti-judiciary speech at the party’s public rally on November 26.

The petition filed by an additional registrar of the Rawalpindi Registry against the PTI leader’s speech came up before a single bench headed by Justice Jawad Hassan, who called the reply from Umar on December 7.

Rawalpindi deputy commissioner, police chief, and Umar’s counsel Faisal Chaudhry advocate appeared before the court.

During the hearing, Justice Hassan remarked Umar “targeted” the courts and judges in his November 26 speech. “Asad Umar scandalised the courts in his speech during the November 26 rally and used contemptuous words against the judiciary,” the judge remarked, saying Umar’s speech will be reviewed first.

“No institution or personality can be made controversial under Article 14 of the Constitution. The court has the authority to punish under Article 204(B) of the Constitution,” Justice Hassan remarked. He summoned the PTI leader in person in the court on the next hearing and sought the video transcript of Umar’s speech.

Later, the court adjourned the hearing till December 7. It may be mentioned here that during the November 26 speech at PTI’s long march in Rawalpindi, Umar had said the nation “can see that the doors of justice are closed even in the Supreme Court”. “Judges were troubled when they had to change their route [due to road blockage],” he said.

Talking about assassination attempt on PTI chief Imran Khan, Umar had said the chairman of the biggest party was shot at, however, no first information report (FIR) was registered. “The nation does not see justice in this country,” he had said.