LAHORE: A judicial magistrate on Saturday allowed an application of Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari for one-time exemption from personal appearance in trial proceedings of a case related to circulating her fake video.
Judicial Magistrate Naeem Wattoo resumed the hearing with Advocate Ali Zahid Bokhari, the counsel for the provincial minister, and Advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq, the counsel for PTI activist Falak Javed, in attendance.
Advocate Bokhari said his client had approached the Lahore High Court seeking permission to record her cross-examination online for security reasons.
He asked the court to allow a one-time exemption from personal appearance.
The counsel further argued that at the previous hearing, Falak Javed’s lawyer had attempted to pressure the court and had repeatedly demanded that an arrest warrant be issued against the complainant, Azma Bokhari.
He said pressuring the court falls within the ambit of contempt of court and an action should be taken in this regard. He also accused the suspect’s counsel of running a sustained campaign against the minister.
Advocate Bokhari claimed that they had no issue with mainstream media, but that social media influencers who come to court then go outside and spread, what he described, propaganda.
Advocate Ashfaq said Ms Bokhari had failed to appear for cross-examination at the previous hearing as well. He argued that under the law, if a person fails to appear despite a court order, an arrest warrant is issued against him/ her accordingly. He contended that the contempt of court plea by the complainant was an attempt to delay the court proceedings and should be dismissed.
The magistrate allowed the exemption application and adjourned the hearing. He also directed the complainant’s counsel to consult his client and try to resolve the contempt of court matter.