News
Thursday, September 06, 2012
Holding of dual office : LHC sends fresh notice to Zardari* Court says any objection to maintainability of proceedings by counsel for president or AG should be filed in writing till 14th
Staff Report
LAHORE: A four-member bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday served a fresh notice on President Asif Ali Zardari in contempt petitions for not surrendering his political office of PPP co-chairman despite the court issuing a restraint order.
The bench, led by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, observed that any objection to the maintainability of proceedings by the counsel for president or the attorney general of Pakistan (AG) shall be filed in writing until September 14.
Deputy Attorney General Abdul Hayee Gilani said the AG was to appear in court in response to a notice served on him, adding that he could not turn up as he had also been summoned by the Supreme Court at its Quetta registry.
However, Wasim Sajjad appeared on behalf of the federal government.
He said that he had received instructions from the federal government, which was a party in the writ petition. The LHC said, however, it was appropriate to listen to the AG first.
But Advocate AK Dogar, counsel for the petitioner, said the bench should first listen to the petitioner.
About representation of the president in the case, the court said, “On the point whether the respondent is represented in these proceedings, both the learned counsels are unable to make any statement. Although the record shows that the respondent has been served by the two means mentioned in our last order... but apparently he is still not represented in the present proceedings.”
“This contempt petition is filed against the person of the respondent. On account of the nature of the present proceedings it is necessary that the respondent is duly represented therein. Even if he has any objection to the maintainability of this petition, the same may be against through his counsel in terms of section 17 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003.”
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk