A three-judge bench comprising Justice Javed Iqbal, Justice Mohammad Sair Ali and Justice Tariq Parvez has taken up suo motu notice of sacking of former PSM chairman Moeen Aftab Sheikh without issuance of a show-cause notice.

It expressed dissatisfaction over an inquiry report submitted by the Federal Investigation Agency and ordered arrest of the people involved in the scam.

The bench, however, exempted Interior Minister Rehman Malik from personal appearance after he submitted a one-page amended apology over a contempt notice charging him with meddling in judicial affairs.

Malik, who appeared before the bench earlier this week, expressed regret over what he called a "misunderstanding" created by formation of a joint team to investigate the scam, and placed himself at the mercy of the court.

"First confess (interference in judicial affairs) and then leave yourself at the mercy of the court," Justice Sair Ali advised the minister.

Malik had formed the investigation team comprising senior officials of the FIA and ministries of interior and industries, minus FIA Director General Tariq Khosa, following dissatisfaction expressed by the apex court over the report of an inquiry committee.

The court had issued the contempt notice to the minister on an application of Advocate Dr Aslam Khaki who alleged that Khosa had been transferred to thwart a transparent inquiry into the PSM corruption.

Khaki contended that authorities deliberately hindered administration of justice which amounted to commission of contempt. He said Khosa was a man of integrity and was investigating a number of important cases, including that of the Bank of Punjab, without succumbing to pressures.