‘False reporting’: SC directs Jang Group to submit complete reply in contempt case

ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court on Tuesday resumed hearing of a contempt of court case against Jang Group for publishing a 'controversial' news story regarding Panama Papers case Joint Investigation Team (JIT).

A three-judge bench – headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan – conducted the hearing where owners of the group Mir Shakeelur Rehman and Mir Javedur Rehman, and reporter Ahmad Noorani appeared before the court.

Expressing annoyance over an incomplete report being filed, the court directed Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman to submit additional reply and complete documents in the contempt case.

Justice Ejaz Afzal remarked that the group citing sources published a fake story to malign the top court and the JIT.

The hearing was adjourned till August 22.

The apex court had served notice oto n Jang Group over publishing fake news in its English daily, The News International, stating: “The JIT has cast some doubts about the prime minister in absence of any reasonable evidence but at no place has held the Prime Minister responsible of doing any illegal thing”.

On July 10, the bench had asked the group to submit a reply within a week as to why the court should not start proceedings under Article 204 of the Contempt Ordinance 2003 against them.