SC appoints new prosecutor in Malik Riaz contempt case
10 October, 2012
ISLAMABAD: After removing attorney general of Pakistan as prosecutor in the contempt of court case against business tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain for allegedly scandalising the judiciary, the Supreme Court has appointed former principal law officer Qazi Muhammad Jamil as the new prosecutor. A two-judge bench of the apex court, comprising justices Ejaz Afzal Khan and Justice Ijaz Chaudhry is hearing Malik Riaz contempt of court case, instituted for addressing a press conference in the month of June, in which he had asked three questions from the chief justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. The court has directed the new prosecutor to submit a fresh list of witnesses and other record pertaining to the matter. It also ordered de-listing of all the names of witnesses and record/proofs that former prosecutor of the case, Irfan Qadir, had submitted in the court. Rejecting the plea to put Malik Riaz Hussain's name on the Exit Control List (ECL) the bench granted him exemption from personal appearance in the court on health grounds. The court had earlier rejected the list of former AGP Irfan Qadir, in which the name of incumbent Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was mentioned as witnesses in the case. The Supreme Court had observed that an affidavit can be obtained from a judge but he cannot be called to the witness box. The AG had submitted a list of witnesses in the contempt of court case against Riaz. It contained the names of the chief justice, his son Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, Supreme Court Registrar Dr Faqir Hussain, former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Salman Ali and Ahmad Khalil. After appointing Barrister Qazi Muhammad Jamil as the prosecutor in the case, the bench adjourned hearing of the case for an indefinite period. End.
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