LAHORE: A miscellaneous petition was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday for banning anti-judiciary speeches by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter, Maryam.

Amna Malik from the Civil Society Network filed the petition through Advocate Azhar Siddique pleading PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and his daughter, Maryam, were continuously speaking against the judges and judiciary in their public gatherings, including that of Kot Momin.

The petitioner said that Mr Sharif and Ms Nawaz were committing contempt of court by ridiculing and scandalising the judges which was a cognizable offence.

The petitioner said they were defaming the judges of superior courts besides criticising the state institutions.

She contended that ban be imposed on airing anti judiciary speeches by Mr Sharif and Maryam and direction also be issued to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority to stop airing the contemptuous remarks on news channels.

Reply sought: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday issued notices to the Punjab government and sought reply over not appointing the provincial ombudsperson.

LHC Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah was hearing a petition filed against the government by national hockey player Syeda Sadia Nawazish for not appointing provincial ombudsperson in the province.

The petitioner complained that the seat in Punjab had been vacant for the last one year and the government had not taken any step to appoint the ombudsperson.

Petitioner’s counsel Advocate Rabia Bajwa pleaded that the player of national hockey team had complained about harassment and was expelled from the team. She said the petitioner approached the provincial woman ombudsperson but the seat had been vacant for more than one year and no one had entertained the complaint.

The advocate pointed out that the government had been violating national and international laws by not appointing the ombudsperson. She said many complainants were helpless and depressed for not having anyone to address their grievances.

She pleaded that court should direct the provincial government to appoint an ombudsperson.

The court issued notices to the government and sought reply on Jan 12.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2018