Azma Bokhari exempted from court appearance

LAHORE: A city magistrate on Saturday allowed one time exemption to Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari from personal appearance in trial a case of circulating her fake video. Earlier, Bokhari’s counsel said his client had approached the Lahore High Court seeking permission to record her cross-examination online for security reasons. He argued that at the previous hearing, the respondent Falak Javed’s lawyer had attempted to pressure the court and demanded arrest warrant of the complainant, Azma Bokhari. He said that pressuring the court falls within the ambit of contempt of court and sought contempt proceedings be initiated against him. READ ALSO: Azma’s plea in cybercrime case dismissed He also accused the suspect’s counsel of running a sustained campaign against the provincial minister. The counsel of Falak said that 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 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 after hearing both the sides allowing one time exemption and adjourned the proceedings till September 30. The magistrate also asked the complainant’s counsel to consult his client and try to resolve the matter of contempt of court. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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