RAWALPINDI: The Lahore High Court's (LHC) Rawalpindi bench on Monday issued contempt of court notice to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General and former minister for planning, development and special initiatives Asad Umar for his 'anti-judiciary speech' during the party’s long march.

Justice Jawad Hassan presided over the hearing in the high court regarding a case pertaining to road closures that took place in the capital ahead of PTI’s long march. Rawalpindi deputy commissioner, CPO, and Advocate Faisal Chaudhry — to represent the defendant in the case — appeared before the court.

During the hearing, Justice Jawad Hassan took notice of the PTI leader’s speech against the judiciary which he reportedly delivered during the long march, and issued a contempt of court notice asking for his reply by December 7.

Justice Hassan further remarked that “peaceful protest is everyone's right”. He added that the protest has ended and that nothing is left in this case.

During the hearing, Justice Hassan remarked that Umar "targeted" the courts and judges in his November 26 speech. "Asad Umar scandalised the courts in his speech during the November 26 rally and used contemptuous words against the judiciary," the court remarked. It said that Umar's speech will be reviewed first.

"No institution or personality can be made controversial, under Article 14 of the Constitution. The court has the authority to punish under Article 204(B) of the Constitution," Justice Hassan remarked.

He summoned the PTI leader in person in the court on the next hearing and sought the video transcript of Umar's speech

The court then adjourned the hearing of the road closure case till December 7 and ordered to present arguments in the next hearing.

During the November 26 speech at PTI's long march in Rawalpindi, Umar said that the nation can see that the doors of justice are closed even in the Supreme Court.

"Judges were troubled when they had to change their route [due to road's blockage]," he said.

The PTI leader talked about Khan's assassination attempt, saying that the chairman of the biggest party was shot at, however, no FIR was registered. "The nation does not see justice in this country," he had said.

In November, the Supreme Court of Pakistan served notices to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan and party leaders Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry on a plea of the Election Commission of Pakistan seeking consolidation and transfer of all six challenges to its contempt notice against them pending before different high courts.