IHC rejects contempt of court plea against Maryam Nawaz, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday rejected the contempt of court plea against PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

Announcing the reserved judgment, the court declared the plea as non-maintainable. It ruled that the contempt of court law is for protecting parties in a case, not for the judges.

"Conversation about a retired person is not contempt of court if even though he is a chief justice. Judges are not exempted from criticism. Judges are at a high position and criticism should be welcomed," remarked IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah.

The petitioner contended that the words uttered during a press conference against former chief justice Mian Saqib Nisar are contempt of court.

The court remarked that the victim himself can file a defamation suit.