By Zeeshan Mumtaz
RAWALPINDI: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi Bench on Wednesday accepted the unconditional apology of Asad Umar, the secretary general of the Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), and discharged the contempt of court notice.
LHC had issued a contempt of court notice to Umer for criticizing the judiciary and justice system, but on Wednesday, the contempt notice was lifted after he offered the court an unreserved apology for his “scandalous” remarks about the judiciary.
Hearing of Asad Umar Case
Today, during the hearing of the contempt case against the PTI secretary general in LHC Rawalpindi Bench, Umar told the court that “my aim was not to target the courts or the judges.” He continued by saying that PTI respects and will continue to respect the judiciary. Asad Umar stated in court that “I did not mention any judge in my speech.”
In response, Justice Jawad Hassan told Umar that the court has the videos of Umar’s statement in his speech during PTI’s power show in Rawalpindi on November 26, but he does not want to play them in the court. Justice Hassan told Umar that the allegations made against institutions and their representatives were the real issue, not the contempt of court.
Justice Hassan further told Umar, we fully understand what you said. “Court has your video statement, and you are aware of what you said in your speech. The country’s courts allowed the PTI to hold its long march, and Party targeted the courts, Justice Hassan added.
Justice Hassan also informed the PTI leader Umar that Articles 50 and 60 of the Constitution permit freedom of movement and democracy, respectively, but not institutional criticism. In response, the PTI secretary-general said that “If I crossed any lines with my statements, I sincerely apologize.” Following the apology of the PTI leader, the bench of LHC dismissed the contempt case against PTI leader.
Asad Umar’s remarks during PTI power show
During his speech on November 26 at PTI’s power show in Rawalpindi, Umar stated that even in the Supreme Court, the nation could see that the doors to justice are closed. The PTI leader discussed PTI chief Imran Khan’s assassination attempt and that the country’s biggest Party’s chief was targeted, but no FIR was registered. Umer had claimed that “the nation does not see justice in this country.”
