The Supreme Court on Wednesday indicted televangelist and MNA Aamir Liaquat Hussain for committing contempt of court on a television programme.
Liaquat Hussain pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The apex court rejected the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader's unconditional apology and indicted him under Article 204 of the Constitution.
Based on some excerpts from his TV programme and his statement, the court stated in the charge sheet that his conduct was tantamount to disobeying, disregarding and flouting the orders of the court. He was also charge-sheeted for obstructing, interfering and prejudicing the process of law.
According to the charges against the MNA, he, on March 9, 2017, had violated an order of the court dated March 3, 2017.
The court directed MNA Hussain to present witnesses, if he has any in his favour, on the next hearing to be held on Nov 29.
On October 30, the apex court had refused an apology rendered by Aamir Liaquat Hussain's lawyer in the contempt of court case. Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, during the hearing, lashed out against the televangelist, saying "anyone can speak against the judiciary and insult it".
In August, the SC had framed a contempt of court charge against Dr Hussain while taking up petitions filed by TV anchor Shahzeb Khanzada, Independent Media Corporation (Pvt) Ltd, Mir Ibrahimur Rehman and Najam Aziz Sethi accusing Dr Hussain of flouting the March 28, 2017 order restraining him from carrying out defamatory campaigns and conducting television shows in an unethical manner.
Issuing a contempt notice to Dr Hussain in August, CJP Nisar had asked should a person who did not know what to speak on public forums be in parliament.
A clip of Dr Hussain’s TV programme was also played in the court on the chief justice’s orders. Dr Hussain had used derogatory words for the owner of a TV channel as well.
The CJP issued a show-cause notice to the anchor for his misleading and humiliating statements. Later, Dr Hussain was fined Rs20,000 for failing to appear before the court.
In May, he was banned for allegedly fuelling sectarian debate during his Ramazan programme.
Taking action over the content of the show, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority had banned Dr Hussain for 30 days under Section 27 of the Pemra Ordinance, 2012.
