ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (Alliance News): In a contempt of court case, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan raised concerns over the judicial assistants appointed by the Supreme Court, arguing that the case was not scheduled for hearing under the authority of the benches.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah remarked that the case does not relate to the 26th Amendment and questioned any undue apprehensions, asking, “If someone is afraid for themselves, that is a different matter.”
The Attorney General contended that the court’s authority in contempt cases is limited and requires a written statement from the person who received the show-cause notice.
He also highlighted that judicial assistants appointed in the case were among those who challenged the 26th Amendment.
Justice Shah clarified that the court’s aim was to ascertain why the case was returned and questioned Nazar Abbas, the Additional Registrar, regarding his involvement in the scheduling issue.
Attorney General Awan maintained that the contempt matter falls strictly within the court’s criminal original jurisdiction, arguing that this is a matter solely between the court and the person accused of contempt.
He added that the bench’s jurisdiction under Section 2 of the Practice and Procedure Act remains central to the discussion.
Justice Shah reiterated that the case’s focus does not concern the 26th Amendment. Addressing the Attorney General, he suggested appointing another judicial assistant from the same group.
The court sought Nazar Abbas’s written response while continuing deliberations on the bench’s powers.
Additionally, the court appointed senior lawyers Khawaja Haris and Ahsan Bhawan as judicial assistants to aid proceedings.