SC forms committee to probe leaked video

ISLAMABAD: The full court session of the Supreme Court presided over by Chief Justice Ifitkhar Muhammad Chaudhry formed a two-member committee to look into the media scandal, Geo News reported.

The panel, comprising Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain will investigate the matter.

Today, the SC Registrar briefed the meeting over property tycoon Malik Riaz's interview on a private news channel and the off-air conversation between the two anchors and Riaz which was published on Youtube.

The Registrar informed the apex court judges that the interview was an attempt to malign the judiciary and the leaked video show that the questions were planted.

The Chief Justice said that during the last week there were several attempts to undermine the judiciary and now it has to be figured out as who was behind this wicked activity.

Chairman PEMRA Abdul Jabbar submitted the videos and report of the interview to the meeting. What action the authority has taken, and what's the media regulatory framework, the CJ asked the chairman.

The chairman informed the meeting that channels which violate the law are issued notices and action is taken when complaints are received. He added that their licenses’ are even cancelled.

The Chief Justice also inquired the PEMRA boss if he was aware of what was being broadcast on television channels and if there was any violation in the Malik Raiz interview.

He further said the judiciary was being maligned day and night, adding that not even the Parliament could say anything against the judiciary.

A Full Court meeting under the Chairmanship of CJ Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, was attended by all the judges namely Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Tariq Parvez, Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, Justice Sarmad Jalal osmany, Justice Amir Hani Muslim, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Muhammad Ather Saeed and Justice Sh. Azmat Saeed. Dr Faqir Hussain, Registrar Supreme Court of Pakistan also attended the meeting.

At the beginning of the meeting, the CJ formally welcomed the newly elevated judge of the SC namely Justice Sh. Azmat Saeed. The CJ appreciated his qualities, dedication, devotion to duty and commitment.

Justice Sh. Azmat Saeed in his response thanked the Chief Justice for his compliments and said that it is an honour for him to serve on the bench of apex court.

After deliberations, the Full Court expressed its faith and determination in maintaining and further strengthening the independence of judiciary, so as to ensure the free, fair and impartial dispensation of justice by the Court.

The Full Court further resolved to call for a comprehensive report from the Chairman PEMRA to be submitted to the SC Registrar, who will place the same before two-members committee comprising of Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain for perusal and recommendation for further course of action, if required.

The Full Court also reviewed the report of last 6 months i.e. 1.12.2011 to 31.5.2012, regarding pendency and disposal of the cases by the Supreme Court. During this period total 8217 fresh cases were instituted and 7568 were decided. The Full Court expressed its satisfaction over the rate of disposal and resolved to reduce the backlog through quick and expeditious disposal.