 |
| Malik Riaz |
The court too rejected the plea of MlaikRiaz seeking exemption from appearing in court in this case. Earlier, the court had issued a show-cause notice to Malik Riaz to shock and ridicule justice through his press conference as part of Dr Arsalan case. Riaz Malik, however, filed an appeal within the court-yard, after a show-cause notice was issued. In its appeal, the magnate had argued that the cause notice served on him June 13, 2012, in terms of Article 3 and 17 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003 was repealed by Act of 2012. On Thursday, after the court charged Riaz Malik, his lawyer Dr Abdul Basit has expressed reservations about the indictment. He argued that his client had filed an appeal and intra-court argued that the contempt of Court Act 2012 was introduced on the day of intra-court appeal was filed and, shortly after the appeal, the notice of justification and in disregard of hearing was adjourned.
Justice Azmat Saeed said the lawyer was told that the court had invalidated Contempt of Court Act 2012 and should be treated as if it never existed. Dr Basit asked the court to halt the proceedings in this case until the appeal is heard. The court rejected his request and adjourned the hearing until August 29. The court ruled that on the next date of hearing procedure for the prosecution and the provision of evidence by counsel for the respondent would be evolved. Meanwhile, the court also issued a notice to Malik Riaz in a petition filed seeking his name placed on Exit Control List (ECL).
