Judge warns of action against Umar Naseer if he fails to attend court on Thursday

Criminal Court has warned Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer that action will be taken against him as per regulations, if he fails to be present in court for the trial scheduled for Thursday.

The trial against Umar scheduled for today, for charges filed by the State, was cancelled after he failed to appear in court.

After the attendees including reporters were allowed into the courtroom, the judge announced that the trial was scheduled also for last month, but cancelled after the court received a letter from Home Ministry informing that Umar had to travel abroad on an official visit.

The Judge said that the period stated in the letter for Umar to be out of the country would have passed by today, but a similar letter was received from Home Ministry after Umar was summoned for today’s trial.

The most recent letter stated that Umar would be abroad from 9 to 16 June on an official visit, said the Judge.

He advised Umar's lawyer, who was present in the courtroom, not to force the court to order the minister’s arrest.

“Lawyers would be well aware of the penalties for contempt of court,” said the Judge.

The State filed charges against Umar after he was suspected of using 50 ladders during a protest, and urging protesters to enter the headquarters of the defence force.

Following the presentation of the charges by the State in court, Umar called for a point of order and requested the court to declare void and annul the clause referred to by the State in the charges against him, which he claimed contradicted the Constitution.