LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Yawar Ali on Wednesday constituted a full bench for a third time to hear petitions against alleged anti-judiciary speeches of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and other leaders of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N.

The newly-formed bench comprising Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Atir Mahmood and Justice Shahid Jamil Khan will resume hearing today (Thursday).

Previously, two full benches stood dissolved first due to rescheduling of judges roster sitting at the principal seat and the second after Justice Shahid Mubeen recused himself from the matter.

Now, the chief justice reconstituted the full bench by replacing Justice Mubeen with Justice Shahid Jamil Khan.

The petitions moved by a civil society member and a citizen contend thatNawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and other PML-N leaders have been making derogatory speeches against judges of the Supreme Court since the verdict of Mr Sharif`s disqualification in Panama Papers case.

They plead that Pemra has been wilfully allowing broadcasting of hate speeches, defamatory and contemptuous remarks on the television channels as it took no action to enforce its code of conduct and the rules.

The petitioners` further state that the Pemra has failed to act as an independent regulator rather became a subordinate body of the government. They argue that Pemra officials needed to realise that they are not on the PML-N`s payroll and have to protect citizens of Pakistan and the institutions in every regard.

They have asked the court to order Pemra to restrain media houses f rom airing anything against the laws and of fensive to the state institutions. Amina Malik of Civil Society Network and Munir Ahmad filed the petitions.