National Assembly passes Contempt of Court Bill
The National Assembly has passed the Contempt of Court Bill
The National Assembly has passed the Contempt of Court Bill 2012.
The Bill moved by Law Minister Farooq H. Naek was adopted with a majority.
The bill says exercise of powers and performance of functions by a public office holder under clause (1) of Article 248 of the Constitution for any act done or purported to be done shall not amount to commission of contempt of court.
Fair comments about the general working of courts made in good faith in the public interest and in temperate language shall also not come under contempt of court.
Under the bill in a case the first cognizance of the offence has been taken by the Chief Justice‚ the functions of the Chief Justice shall be performed by a bench of judges composed of the two next most senior judges available.
Speaking on the Bill the Minister said the government respects judiciary and nothing is contained in this bill against the judiciary. He said Parliament‚ Executive and Judiciary are three important pillars of the system and under the constitution the state shall be governed by choosan representatives of the people.
Earlier‚ the Opposition members including Khawaja Saad Rafiq‚ Khurram Dastgir‚ Muhammad Safdar‚ Zafar Baig Bhitiani and Kashmala Tariq described the bill as black law.