Contempt charges: Awan tenders unconditional apology

By Web Desk
Published: April 10, 2012

The Supreme Court, all set to indict Awan, resumes the hearing of the contempt case against him. PHOTO: RASHID AJMERI/ EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD: The counsel for former law minister Senator Babar Awan filed an apology letter in the Registrar Office of the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

In the apology letter submitted through Advocate Ali Zafar, Awan has tendered an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court and specifically, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa.

A two-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal, all set to indict Awan, resumed the hearing of the contempt case against him.

Justice Afzal observed that Awan will first be indicted and then the Supreme Court will think about the apology letter submitted by him.

The court expressed dissatisfaction over Awan’s absence in the hearing and said that today’s hearing date was decided after Awan’s earlier request.

Earlier, Advocate Zafar submitted an application in the apex court contending that Awan will be undergoing medical checkups in India till April 17 and hence should be exempted on the medical grounds from appearing before the court.

Contempt of court adjudication was initiated by the Supreme Court after Awan criticized an apex court verdict handed down on December 1, 2011, pertaining to the formation of a judicial commission to probe the Memogate scandal.

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Contempt charges: Babar Awan wins a fortnight’s reprieve (To postpone or cancel the punishment of)
By Our Correspondent
Published: March 21, 2012

Indictment case adjourned till April 2. PHOTO: RASHID AJMERI/ EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned hearing into contempt of court charges against Babar Awan till April 2, after he prayed to the court to postpone it on account of his counsel’s absence.

A two-member bench, comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal and Justice Athar Saeed was hearing the case.

When pressed by the court to argue his case, Awan said he had no reservations to do so, but would be more comfortable if his counsel was present during the proceedings.

It is clear that Awan will be indicted unless he renders an unconditional apology. Justice Ejaz Afzal said it is better the charges are framed against him at the hearing on Tuesday since the bench might be unavailable later.

Awan, however, insisted that the presence of his counsel was necessary and succeeded in getting two-week’s time.

The court questioned him about the nature of his engagements after Awan said he himself was busy in the first week of April. The former law minister said that after his license was suspended, he had no other option but to actively participate in ‘political activities.’

Awan is charged with contempt of court for speaking at a press conference against the Supreme Court’s order on December 1, 2011 for the formation of a judicial commission to probe the Memogate scandal. Awan had said that by ordering the Memogate probe, the court had denied the right of a bicameral parliamentary committee on national security to hold an inquiry.

However, in a written reply submitted to the court by Awan’s lawyer Barrister Ali Zafar, Awan said he was keen to prove that he had no intention of criticising the judiciary.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21st, 2012.

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Babar Awan stripped of all posts in PPP
By Web Desk
Published: May 1, 2012

Awan is no longer the secretary finance of the party, nor the senior vice-president of the party. PHOTO: INP/FILE

ISLAMABAD: Former law minister Babar Awan has been stripped of all posts held by him in Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Express News correspondent Waqar Satti reported that Awan is no longer the secretary finance of the party, nor the senior vice-president.

After losing his posts, Awan will also not be a part of any of the party’s Central Executive Committee meetings.

Babar Awan has drawn the ire of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership ever since his refusal to appear before the Supreme Court to testify in the contempt of court hearing against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.

Aitzaz Ahsan, Gilani’s lawyer, had asked the court to summon three key witnesses in the case – including Awan and two high-ranking bureaucrats. However, Awan was reported to have promptly refused to appear – despite many saying that his testimony would have made the prime minister’s case stronger.

President Asif Ali Zardari, while on a private visit to India, had reject Awan’s request to meet him and had directed the security to not let him come and meet him.

Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa had also recently lashed out at Babar Awan, likening him and former Law secretary Masood Chishti to Mir Jafar and Mir Sadiq.

Chishti, who had been handpicked by former Law minister Awan, had been replaced with Irfan Qadir.

No reason for the change had been given, but it had been speculated that it carried a veiled message for Awan, who had refused to appear before the bench hearing contempt charges against Gilani.