The apex court has decided to frame charge against recently elected Senator Pakistan People's Party (PPP) vice president and senior lawyer Dr Babar Awan on March 20 in a contempt case for addressing a highly controversial press conference against the court's December 1, 2011 order into memo controversy.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and Justice Ather Saeed had reserved its decision over the show-cause notice earlier issued to Babar Awan in contempt case after it heard arguments by Babar Awan's defence counsel on March 1. "The court observed that after going through the facts and examining the video, we are of the considered opinion that the matter should be further proceeded and the case be adjourned for March 20, 2012 for framing the charge against the accused".
When the court announced its verdict, Babar Awan reached the court's rostrum and recited a verse from the Holy Quran. During Thursday's proceedings, a large number of lawyers accompanied Babar Awan to the courtroom. After the court announced its decision, lawyers raised slogans in favour of Awan and pasted stickers on the walls of Supreme Court building.