Firdous Ashiq Awan issued new show cause notice, apologises for remarks

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday issued another show cause notice to Special Assistant to PM on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan in the contempt of court case.

Awan had appeared before Chief Justice Athar Minallah today for her remarks against the judiciary.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah, while issuing the verdict, directed Awan to visit the district courts along with representatives of the bar and asked her to appear again on Tuesday.

"They [bar representatives] will take you to the district courts from here,"he remarked.  The chief justice added that the special assistant was being taken to see the conditions under which the judges and the lawyers are working.

He added, “This was not because of the judiciary but due to the 30 years of neglect by the administration.” 

He asked Awan to go and see the district courts after the hearing and see that courts are set up in shops. He told her that in those court the problems of the common people are heard.

He added go with the bar’s president and see the conditions of the court today. Chief Justice Minallah remarked, “Those courts do not even have toilets.”

While setting the date for the next hearing, Awan requested the court not to keep the hearing on Tuesday as cabinet meetings are held on that day.

To this, the chief justice remarked, “Hold your cabinet meetings in the district courts so you see the conditions there.” 

He added that the date of the hearing will not be changed.

While talking about why the show cause notice was issued, Chief Justice Minallah said he would have never issued her the notice but he had called her to show the conditions of the courts. 

He added, “I am confident that the prime minister must have not asked you to issue such a statement.

In the hearing, the IHC CJ had also lashed out at the special assistant for issuing a statement against the bail granted to former premier Nawaz Sharif in a press conference.

Read also: IHC issues contempt of court notice to Firdous Ashiq Awan

“You spoke about a sub judice matter which is why you were issued a notice,” Chief Justice Minallah told Awan. He added that Awan was heading an important portfolio and is working for a prime minister who believes in upholding the law.

The IHC CJ added that due to the special assistant's statements the right of a fair trial was affected.

Later, Chief Justice Minallah directed the special assistant to read out the court rolls, which were read aloud by Awan.

He also told the special assistant that the health reports of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif were submitted by medical board’s formed by the government.

“I am proud of the judges of this court,” said the chief justice. He also informed that IHC has disposed of the most cases within the year.

Awan in her press conference had said that she hoped that normal people should also get justice like former premier Nawaz Sharif.

To this, the chief justice said, “We are sitting here for the common people.” He added that the judges are only accountable to Allah as under His name they took an oath.

CJ Athar Minallah also told the special assistant that she was issued a contempt notice as the judges could not hold a press conference.

Awan was issued a contempt notice for criticising the judiciary in her press conference on Wednesday and was asked to appear before the court today. 

'Govt implementing reforms agenda to improve judicial system'

Speaking to the media after visiting the district courts, Awan said the government was implementing a reforms agenda to improve judicial system and ensure dispensation of speedy justice.

She said the government brought women inheritance law and code of civil procedure to ensure provision of property rights to women and decision of civil cases swiftly.

Awan added the ordinances have to be promulgated for public welfare because the government is facing difficulties in legislation for lacking two-thirds majority in the National Assembly.

Expressing dissatisfaction over working condition at the courts and the facilities for litigants, the Special Assistant said she would play her role for provision of the necessary facilities.

She said road map for improving district courts in Islamabad is part of CDA's new master plan.