“Aitzaz to represent Gilani in contempt case” reads a front page headline in the daily The News of today.

Do I recollect correctly barrister Aitzaz Ahsan saying that he will not appear before the CJP in any case?  This he had said while talking to the Journalists in the Supreme Court of Pakistan that though the CJP had summoned him in Harris Steel Mills case yet, in view of his very close associations with the CJP whose restoration campaign he had led throughout the country, as a matter of principle he will not appear before the Chief Justice of Pakistan in any case (words to that effect).

My attention has been drawn by a few that the 7 judge bench hearing PM contempt notice case will not be headed by the CJP, as such barrister Aitzaz Ahsan can appear before it without any breach of his pledge.  I entirely agree and hasten to say that I stand corrected. 

Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)