The Islamabad High Court disposed of on Tuesday a contempt plea against Pakistan Peoples Party leader Aitzaz Ahsan over his remarks on the acquittal of PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz and her husband retired Captain Muhammad Safdar in the Avenfield reference.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, while hearing the plea, remarked that such utterances shouldn’t be given importance while saying that contempt proceedings were not the solution in such cases. “This court will not seek any unnecessary explanation from anyone.”

Captain Safdar had filed the contempt plea on Saturday for “defaming” his acquittal.

Ahsan, a senior lawyer and veteran lawyer, told the media at the Lahore High Court last week that the cases against Maryam and her family were open-and-shut while accusing the Establishment of facilitating the Sharif family’s acquittal.

“Bajwa sahib has rescued them (the Sharif family) from conviction in cases, and he has committed a big crime,” he had said.

The comments had Ahsan in the crosshairs with the PML-N moving court against him, while Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warning him of “Azam Swati-like treatment” for his criticism of the army chief. Rana Sanaullah in a press conference called the PPP leader mentally unstable.

Leaders from his own party has criticised Ahsan, with members of the party’s Punjab chapter calling for the suspension of his party membership while they also issued threats that would lay siege to his residence.

It must be added that the IHC overturned the conviction of Maryam Nawaz and her husband in the Avenfield reference, thus paving the way for Maryam to content in the election.

Today’s hearing

At today’s hearing, Justice Minallah inquired inquired whether any bar councils had any concerns about the impartiality of the court and its verdicts. “If not, why should we pay any heed to someone’s irresponsible statement,” he continued.

Safdar’s lawyer argued that Ahsan’s comment were against the judiciary and state institutions while also critical of the ruling of the court. The lawyer added that the criticism had come before the detailed verdict.

Upon this, Justice Minallah said that news were constantly aired - including in vlogs - critical of the court. “We are not bothered by it.”