RAWALPINDI: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday summoned
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary-General Asad Umar to explain his
position for delivering speech against the courts and judiciary on last day
of the long march.
Justice Jawad Hassan passed the order on plea moved bench by an additional
registrar of the court’s Rawalpindi bench against the PTI leader’s speech
against the judiciary. As the hearing started, Rawalpindi deputy
commissioner, CPO, and Advocate Faisal Chaudhry appeared before the court to
represent the defendant.
Justice Hassan observed that Umar targeted the courts and judges in his
November 26 speech. He also remarked, “Asad Umar scandalised the courts in
his speech during the November 26 rally and used contemptuous words against
the judiciary,”. The court is also likely to review speech of the PTI
leader. The judge observed that no institution or personality could be made
controversial, under Article 14 of the Constitution.
The court has the powers to award punishment under Article 204(B) of the
Constitution. The court summoned Asad Umar on the next hearing and sought
the video transcript of Umar’s speech. The court adjourned till Dec 7 the
hearing of the case.
