ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday temporarily suspended the licence of former minister Babar Awan for not submitting a reply in the contempt case against him, DawnNews reported.

An 11-judge bench of the apex court headed by the Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry heard the case.

Awan’s request for more time to file the reply was rejected by the court.

During the hearing, Awan said he respected the court but would also defend himself.

The Supreme Court was of the view that 15 days had been granted to Awan and that the time was enough to file a reply.

Chief justice Iftikhar asked Awan if he was given a contempt of court notice by the Lahore High Court earlier.

On which, Justice Saqib Nisar reminded Awan that he was given the notice by a bench of the court headed by him and that the notice was rescinded once Awan requested for pardon.

Moreover, the court directed that a new lawyer be assigned in the Bhutto reference case.

The court also directed the authorities to inform President Asif Ali Zardari regarding the suspension of Awan’s licence and added that the hearing of the reference case would resume after a new lawyer was appointed.