The Jang and The News management was issued contempt notice by the court for a report by Ansar Abbasi in in The News about the shocking statement by former top judge of the GB apex court.
CJ Minallah extensively questioned Ansar Abbasi about the report. He raised several questions about the veracity of the reporting, asking Abbasi if he had verified all facts of the proceedings in the case. The judge asked the senior journalist if he had checked the date of the courts' order against Nawaz and Maryam.
He further questioned if the composition of the bench hearing the case against the father-daughter duo was verified. Continuing with the line of questioning he asked if Abbasi had verified with the lawyers if they had requested date of hearing before the general elections.
At the beginning of the proceedings, Justice Athar Minallah remarked that he had complete confidence in the judges of his court and that is why he was hearing this case. While addressing Mir Shakeel, he said that a newspaper is supposed to have a defined editorial policy and hence should print stories after completely verifying the facts. He added that freedom of expression was important, but not more than integrity of the superior judiciary.
The hearing was adjourned until the 26th of November and the respondents were directed to submit replies within seven days.