ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred till April 18 contempt of court proceeding against Senator Babar Awan, former law minister, after indicating that his unconditional apology would be considered in his presence.
The two-member bench comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and Justice Athar Saeed resumed hearing of a suo motu notice taken on Babar Awan's address at a press conference held in Press Information Department on December 2, after initial order of the larger bench on memo issue.
Barrister Ali Zafar, at the outset of proceedings, informed the bench that his client had tendered a written apology which must be considered and further proceedings for framing of contempt of court charges be dropped.
The application was moved under Section 5 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003, Zafar apprised and cited Sub-section (2) of the Contempt Ordinance which said, "A person accused of having committed contempt of court may, at any stage, submit an apology and the court, if satisfied that it is bonafide, may discharge him or remit his sentence."
The bench deferring further proceedings, accepted Babar Awan's application for exempting him personally from today's hearing.
"The applicant believes in the principle that the alleged contemnor should, prior to proceeding to trial, not hesitate in apologizing at the earliest opportunity," he added.
Babar Awan also reiterated his respect for the judiciary by saying that whatever he stated in the conference was unintentional and based upon inadvertence.
He also apologized particularly to Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, Judge of the Supreme Court, by saying that there was no doubt about his acumen, integrity, impartiality and dedication.
He prayed the court to accept his apology as bonafide and contempt proceedings against him might accordingly be discharged.