RAWALPINDI: Following the clarification from counsels for state, Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has disposed of the contempt of court plea against interior minister Rehman Malik for a controversial statement given by him regarding judicial inquiry into Mumbai attacks case.
The court after conclusion of their arguments by defence counsels has also reserved its judgement on application moved by FIA requesting for sending Pakistani judicial commission to India the decision is likely to be announced on August, 27.
The contempt of court petition was filed by Khawaja Sultan Ahmad counsel for persons accused in Mumbai blasts case. The petitioner while making Rehman Malik and government of Pakistan respondents had said interior minister had given statement in a seminar at London regarding an application filed by FIA in a case pending with court that approval had been accorded for judicial commission with reference to Mumbai attack case and commission would leave for Indian within the next 7 to 10 days.
Khawaja Sultan took plea in his application that application from counsel for prosecution on formation of judicial commission to be sent to India with reference to Mumbai blasts case is pending hearing and the court had not pronounced its decision about the effectiveness of this commission. However Rehman Malik had given statement in a seminar organised by International Institute of Strategic Studies London entitled “Counter terrorism measures in South Asia” that decision had been taken to send Pakistani judicial commission to India. This commission will leave for Indian in the next 7 to 10 days.
As the court had restrained for making open its proceedings before media therefore, the statement given by interior minister is an attempt to give impression of controlling or influencing the judicial proceedings, he said. Therefore interior minister be preceded against keeping in view his statement, he submitted.
Counsels for Rehman Malik told the court on Saturday that interior minister had always respected courts and he neither given any statement in a case pending hearing with courts nor had he interfered in court’s affairs.
The court disposed of the application. The hearing has been adjourned till August, 27. Online
