ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court on Thursday ordered Malik Riaz to stay in Pakistan and appear in all hearings of the case and deferred till July 4, Aaj news reported.

The court also rejected the plea of Malik Riaz to exempt him from the hearings and directed to submit his reply till July 2.

Earlier, today property tycoon Malik Riaz, along with his lawyer senior advocate Dr Abdul Basit, appeared before the Supreme Court on Thursday for the hearing of a contempt case against him.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Shakirullah and comprising Justice Tariq Parvez and Justice Amir Hani Muslim resumed the hearing of the case here on Thursday.

During the proceedings Riaz’s counsel Abdul Basit requested the court that he accepted the case on Wednesday and requires some time to study the case.

He further added that his client, despite ill health, has always been present in the court.

Justice Shakirullah said that even after the requests of petitioners Riaz’s name was not included in the Exit Control List (ECL).

Riaz’s counsel also said that he should be aware of who the prosecutor is, however, Justice Shakirullah said that the appointment of the prosecutor remains at state’s discretion.

Moreover, Abdul Basit requested the court to allow his client to travel abroad for his treatment and provide him with sufficient security.

The petitioner Ashraf Gujjar said that Malik Riaz already has enough security and his press conference should also be made part of the evidence against him.

The court rejected Riaz’s plea for exempting him from being present in the court.

The Supreme Court adjourned the contempt of court hearing against Malik Riaz until July 4. (Agencies)

Besides that sources reported that, Malik Riaz, a

fter a search of two weeks

has been able to find a lawyer to contest his contempt of court case initiated by the Supreme Court against him, but the lawyer himself was show caused in 2010 by the apex court for professional misconduct.