Contempt of court: SC gives Malik Riaz 7-day to hire counsel

ISLAMABAD, A three member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Shakirullah Jaan while hearing the contempt of court case against business tycoon Malik Riaz, has given him a week time to hire counsel in the case.

The Supreme Court had issued a contempt of court notice to Malik Riaz, saying that he ridiculed the judiciary in his press conference held on Tuesday.

A three-member special bench of the apex court comprising Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Tariq Parvez and Justice Amir Hani Muslim resumed the hearing of the case Contempt proceedings against Malik Riaz Hussain by order of the Chief Justice of Pakistan here on Thursday.

The court directed Riaz to appoint a lawyer within seven days in the contempt of court case against him. The businessman asked for more time and said that he could not arrange for a lawyer before 10 days.

However, the court made it clear that after seven days neither Riaz nor his counsel will be granted any more time.

Malik Riaz also requested the court that he does not know English; accordingly, he needs telling in Urdu. I am trying to contract high-profile lawyers including Aitzaz Ahsan but failed to succeed in hiring one. I am hopeful to get engaged someone soon, Riaz told the bench.

A petition filed by the former president of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association Chaudhry Muhammad Ashraf Gujjar was also heard by the bench, seeking that Riaz should be placed on Exit Control List (ECL).

Justice Jan disposed of the petition and observed that Riaz came to the court whenever he was summoned and his behaviour does not indicate that he will run away.

Moreover, Asfraf Gujjar gave reference of the press briefing conducted by Riaz during which he refused to adhere to the orders of the court. On which the bench asked Riaz to avoid any interaction with the media, as the case is sub-judice.

Malik Riaz expressed his commitment that the apex court would not hear any complaint from him.

Talking to media after the hearing, Malik Riaz maintained, I said whatever I had to in the court. Now, I do not want to say anything on media.

Replying to a query regarding his future participation in any talk show, the real estate tycoon Malik noted he will not utter a word against the judiciary in accordance with an undertaking given before the bench, adding, Hence, I will not speak on the issue.

Later the hearing has been adjourned and will now be held on June 21.