Khyber News

ISLAMABAD: Former Chairman Bahria Town, Malik Riaz was indicted in contempt of court charges by the Supreme Court of Pakistan here on Thursday. 

However, Riaz resisted charges while his counsel, Advocate Dr Basit also objected to his indictment. 

According to details, Malik Riaz was convicted for his June 12 press conference.  

A three member bench of the apex court comprising Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Ejaz Afzal and Justice Athar Saeed resumed hearing of the case against the property tycoon after the Contempt of Court Act 2012 was struck down by the Supreme Court last week.

Following censure of the apex court and mudslinging at the chief justice of Pakistan by Riaz during the press briefing, a show-cause notice was issued on June 13. 

During today’s hearing, litigator for Riaz appraised the court that while the Contempt of Court Act 2012 was promulgated, an intra-court appeal was moved, adding that the proceedings should to be halted until the appeal is heard and a decision reached. 

Upon this Justice Afzal remarked, “The contempt of court law that was formed has now been struck down and under the current laws, the proceedings can be resumed.”

Dr Basit, however, argued that Contempt of Court Act 2012 was in place the day the intra-court appeal was filed and soon after the filing of the appeal, the show-cause notice and contempt of court hearing was adjourned.

The hearing was consequently adjourned until August 29.