Firdous submits unconditional apology in IHC.

ISLAMABAD -- Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Tuesday submitted another unconditional apology to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for her contemptuous press conference. The court, however, directed her to file a written reply to the show cause notice issued to her.

The IHC on Oct 30 issued the contempt notice to Dr Awan under Section 3 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003, saying that she had maligned the court while claiming that the hearing of a petition seeking release of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday evening was 'a special dispensation'.

The court, however, discharged the notice after she tendered an unconditional apology on Nov 1. However, Ms Awan was issued another notice for committing criminal contempt and directed to submit a written reply to the notice by Nov 5.

Court directs her to file written reply to show cause notice

When the PM's special assistant appeared before the IHC, Chief Justice Athar Minallah inquired about her written reply. She said she was tendering an unconditional apology and leaving herself at the mercy of the court.

The chief justice remarked that ministers passed statements to pressurise judges and that the government itself had given an impression as if a deal had been struck. If a deal had been done, then who was behind that deal, he asked.

He observed that the courts gave judgements in accordance with the law and the principles of fair trial, and not under any deal.

Chief Justice Minallah reminded Dr Awan that...